What to Do for Free on October 28, Czechoslovak Independence Day

On Saturday, October 28th, historical sites in Prague that are usually inaccessible to tourists will be open for free visits. This will happen on the occasion of the bank holiday – the Day of the Independent Czechoslovak State.

We have prepared a list of places to go and things to see on this day:

Czech Senate:

The Senate offers a tour of its main building – Valdštejnský palác (Valdštejnské náměstí 17/4, Malá Strana) and Kolovratský palác (Nerudova 193/III, Malá Strana). Both sites will be open from 09:00 to 16:00 (last entrance at 15:30).

You can come at any time – the tour is self-guided.

Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament (Poslanecká sněmovna):

The Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament will also open its doors to visitors. During the one-hour tour, guests will be able to see the main meeting room, conference rooms of various committees, and other rooms of three palaces at once – Smiřických, Šternberský palác, and Thunovský palác.

• Where: Sněmovní 4, Praha 1
• When: from 09:00 to 16:00

Municipal House (Obecní dům):

This building is inextricably linked to the upcoming festivities. It was in Prague’s Municipal House that Czechoslovakia’s independence was proclaimed on October 28th, 1918. The National Committee of Czechoslovakia, the first representative body of the new state, also met here.

Free tours will be held every half hour. Guests will see the following rooms: Smetanova síň – Cukrárna – Slovácký salonek – Salonek Boženy Němcové – Orientální salonek – Grégrův sál – Palackého sál – Primátorský sál – Riegrův sál – Sladkovského sál.

• Where: nám. Republiky 1090/5, Praha 1 – Staré Město
• When: from 09:00 to 15:00 (last entrance at 14:40)

All departments of the National Museum in Prague:

Residents and guests of Prague can visit almost all departments of the National Museum free of charge. Not only the historic and new buildings, but also the National Monument on Vitkov, the Museum of Czech Music, the Bedřich Smetana Museum, the Napřík Museum, the Antonín Dvořák Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, and other objects.

Four branches of the National Gallery in Prague:

On the occasion of the holiday, residents and guests of the capital will also be able to explore four departments of the National Gallery.

The following exhibitions will be open to the public free of charge:

Staří Mistři I (Schwarzenberský palác)
Staří Mistři II (Šternberský palác)
Středověké umění v Čechách a střední Evropa 1200-1550 (Klášter sv. Anežky České)
1796-1918: Umění dlouhého století (Veletržní palác)
1918-1938: První republika (Veletržní palác)
1956-1989: Architektura všem (Veletržní palác)
1939-2021: Konec černobílé doby (Veletržní palác)

• When: from 10:00 to 18:00

Prague Magistrate (Škodův palác):

Visitors will be able to see the historic presentation rooms of the Škodovy salonky on the first floor of the building, which are usually inaccessible to visitors. After a beautiful restoration, they have regained their original splendor and beauty, be it wooden ceiling and wall paneling with artistic carving details, chandeliers, furniture, tapestries, or other interior items.

• Where: Jungmannova 29, Praha 1, Nové Město
• When: from 10:00 to 18:00

New Prague City Hall building (Nová radnice):

Visitors will be able to see the interior of the building, which was built in 1911 – the city council chamber, the office of the mayor, and other officials. The organizers have also prepared a great accompanying program – exhibitions from various city companies, musical performances, and much more.

• Where: Mariánské náměstí 2, Praha 1, Staré Město
• When: from 10:00 to 18:00

Historical building of the Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic:

The Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic will open to the public for only the fourth time in its history. The historic house on Old Town Square, which now serves as the Ministry’s residence, was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, designed by architect Oswald Polivka on the site of demolished Baroque buildings.

• Where: Staroměstské náměstí 932/6
• When: from 10:00 to 15:00

Strakova Academy

This majestic neo-Baroque building today serves as the seat of the government of the Czech Republic. As soon as the building was completed in 1896, it was used as a dormitory for poor students from noble families, in accordance with the wishes of the owner Count Jan Petr Straka.

• Where: Úřad vlády ČR, nábřeží Edvarda Beneše 4 (see map)
• When: from 09:00 to 16:00

Rohanský palác

For the fourth time in its history, the Czech Ministry of Education will open its main building – Rohanský palác (Rohanský palác) in the centre of Prague – to tourists. Visitors will see the meeting rooms, Jan Kamensky’s reception room, the minister’s office and other rooms of the historic building built in 1571.

• Where: Karmelitská 8, Praha 1 (see map).
• When: tours will take place from 09:00 to 15:00 every half an hour (break from 12:00 to 12:30). The duration will be about 30 minutes.

Czech Ministry of Labour

Residents and guests of the Czech capital will have a unique opportunity to see the historic building of the Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs from the inside and to visit rooms that are usually closed to the public.

Guided tours will take place from 09:00 to 16:00 every 20 minutes (the last one will start at 15:00). The duration will be 30 minutes. The number of the tour group is 15 people.

• Where: Karmelitská 8, Praha 1

Czech Garnet Museum

The museum presents a large collection of jewelry from different years based on the most famous Czech mineral. Entrance to the holiday will be free. On normal days it costs 250 CZK.

• Where: Muzeum českého granátu, Karlova 8, Praha 1
• When: from 10:00 to 18:00

National Technical Museum for only 80 CZK

On the occasion of the holiday, the National Technical Museum will reduce the ticket price from 280 to 80 CZK. Visitors will be able to see cars, motorbikes, trains and other equipment from the time of the First Republic in detail. The museum is much more interesting than it may seem.

• Where: Kostelní 42, Praha 7
• When: from 09:00 to 18:00

National Agricultural Museum 

Opposite the Technical Museum is the National Agricultural Museum of the Czech Republic. On Saturday it will be available absolutely free of charge (on normal days admission costs 200 CZK).

• Where: Kostelní 1300/44, Praha 7
• When: from 09:00 to 17:00

Clam-Gallas Palace

One of the most beautiful baroque buildings in Prague will welcome guests for the second time after a four-year reconstruction. It cost the city 470 million crowns. The palace acquired its present appearance in 1713 after its owner, Austrian diplomat Count Jan Václav Gallas, commissioned one of the best European Baroque architects Johann Bernhard Fischer to rebuild the building.

• Where: Husova 20, Praha 1 – Staré Město
• When: from 10:00 to 18:00

Mayor’s Residence 

Citizens will be able to explore the ceremonial halls and living rooms of the Mayor’s Residence, which is located in the building of the Central City Library.Experienced guides will be available all day long. The duration of the tour will be about 20 minutes.

Pre-booking was required to participate here, which is now closed. However, the organisers note that people who have booked often do not show up, so there is a chance to get into the facility on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Where: Mariánské nám. 1, Staré Město
• When: from 10:00 to 18:00