Czech National Museum Prague
The National Museum, a scientific institution intended to systematically establish,
prepare and publicly exhibit natural scientific and historical collections,
was founded through the efforts of many distinguished figures in Bohemia
beginning as early as the end of the 18th century. Particular recognition in
these endeavors is due to Kašpar Maria, Count Sternberg, who we can consider to
be the main founder of the National Museum. Among the enlightened aristocracy
of the land and the Czech patriotic political leaders, the specific proposals
expressing Kašpar Sternberg conception found their champion in the person of the
highest burgrave, Count František Libštejnský from Kolovrat. Their public
declaration from the celebratory founders meeting on April 15th, 1818 can be
understood as the founding charter of the National Museum.
Thus arose the institution, which is the oldest museum in Bohemia and today
the most distinguished and largest museum in the Czech Republic. The cornerstone
of the first museum funds was formed from the private collection of Kašpar
Sternberg and other noble patrons, who even with their financial support enabled
the activities of the institute. Soon after the founding of the museum, there
were alreadz significant collections covering mineralogy, palaeontology,
numismatics, as well as a library and archives. Many distinguished figures from
the cultural and scientific life of the day took part in the founding of the
museum, one of the most important of which was cartainly historian and Czech
political leader František Palacký. Among other activities, in 1827 he became
the first editor of the National Museum Magazine, which is published to this
day and is the oldest professional magazine in the Czech lands. Other outstanding
figures contributed their work to the founding of the museum such as
- Josef Dobrovský
- Josef Jungmann
- Václav Hanka
- Jan Svatopluk Presl
- František Josef
- Gerstner
and others.
more text at: Official web pages National Museum
