Portál Pražana
The National Museum has a unique new collection of Paleozoic fossils
The National Museum in Prague has one of the largest paleontological collections in Europe. Now, the collection has expanded with even more specimens. For last year's 200th anniversary, the Museum received a unique gift - a collection of fossils of Tertiary flora and fauna.
The Museum symbolically accepted the gift from the mining company Severočeské doly a.s. on the 14th of January in the recently renovated Historical Building. The Bílina mines, one of Severočeské doly a.s.’s mining sites, on the border of Most and Teplice, donated about 4,000 fossils to the museum’s unique collection of over five million pieces, some of which have been in the museum since its foundation.
“I appreciate the cooperation we have with Severočeské doly a.s. very much. People often ask me how we acquire new collections. To a large extent, it is thanks to the understanding and willingness of those who realise the importance of the preservation of our history,” Michal Lukeš, General Director of the National Museum, said in a press release.
What can be admired?
Natural history lovers will be able to admire highly-visible fossils, such as those of frog and pond turtles. "The collection’s fish fossils are unique because of their visible soft parts. The collection also has the fossil of the oldest beetle in the world from the genus Anthaxia, which is in very good condition,” said Kristýna Kvapilová, the museum’s public relations officer. She also discussed the fossilised plant, sloní uši Dvořákovy. This remarkable flora, which was named after its finder, has not been found everywhere else in the world, and does not have a name in English yet.
Traditional display cases
A new natural science exposition will open at the end of this year in the Historical Building with a selection of the museum’s exhibits. They will be on display in ten glazed showcases that are traditionally used in museums.
For more information, please visit www.nm.cz
Essential gift to the Museum
In 1884, the museum received a precious gift – the legacy of the French palaeontologist Joachim Barrando. He donated a collection of over 300,000 items, his extensive library and field documentation to the museum.
Information about the museum
Historical Building of National Museum
Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square) 1700/68
Praha 1 - Nové Město
Opening times:
Tuesday-Sunday: 10am-6pm
Wednesday: 10am-8pm
Admission to the Historical Building from CZK 50
Notice:
Visitors need to be let in groups due to the limited capacity of the Historical Building and the increased interest.
The Historical Building will be closed from the 1st to the 28th of February 2019. 