The Karel Zeman Museum presents the life’s work of the world-renowned filmmaker Karel Zeman and his cinematic special effects, which made Czech cinematography world famous in the 20th century. The museum maps the life and work of Karel Zeman from its beginnings – from his first animations and puppet films in the 1940s to work from his last creative period. A substantial part of the museum is dedicated to his most significant films – Journey to the Beginning of Time, The Fabulous World of Jules Verne, and The Fabulous Baron Munchausen. The museum’s playful approach to the exhibition is unique. It allows visitors to participate directly – to try out with their own photo and video cameras selected special-effect techniques that Zeman used in his films.
The individual rooms of the museum are conceived as movie studios, and there are small stages with backdrops that visitors can step into and shoot their scenes. They can take a ride on a flying machine, or walk around the moon like Baron Munchausen, or take the controls of the famous submarine from The Fabulous World of Jules Verne. Also, part of the exhibition features previously unpublished photographs, original puppets, and other documentary materials from the life and work of this visionary filmmaker. The museum is an interactive and playful place focused on families with children from the Czech Republic and abroad. In the long term, the museum will become an institute preserving and promoting the legacy of the director and fine artist Karel Zeman, offering a wide range of activities for the general public and for specialists from the Czech Republic and abroad.
Interactive tablet guide available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese.
Karel Zeman Museum has full wheelchair access.
We recommend 1-2 hours for the visit. The museum is quite small but full of interactive features that you will have fun with.
Karel Zeman Museum is under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, for the year 2021.
