The Czech Museum of Fine Arts in Prague

Founded in 1963 as a regional gallery, the Czech Museum of Fine Arts began its activities at Nelahozeves Castle near Prague. In 1964 it opened a permanent exhibition of Czech modern art, which then went on till 1971. Today at the centre of the Czech Museum of Fine Arts, stand the three historical houses in Husova St in the Old Town district of Prague, reconstructed in 1971. In the present, these houses also stage the temporary exhibitions of 20th century and contemporary art. Further on, in 1994, the museum opened the newly reconstructed House of the Black Madonna in Celena St, Prague. The House today plays host to a permanent exhibition of Czech Cubism at the 4th and 5th floors. Interestingly, the House of the Black Madonna is a very important Monument of modern architecture and was built in 1911-12 by Josef Gocar. Catering to popular interests, the museum also presents works of contemporary Czech and other Eastern European artists. Coffee-table books and catalogs with detailed descriptions in English and color reproductions usually accompany well-planned exhibitions. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday.