The Permanent Mining Exhibition at National Technical Museum Prague: History, Technology, and Extraction

This permanent exhibition traces the history of mineral extraction from the Paleolithic era to the present. It features archival materials, maps, photographs, and artifacts from the museum's collection, showcasing historical digging tools, idealized 16th-19th century mining landscapes, and modern high-tech mining machinery.

Located on the second and third basement levels of the National Technical Museum's main building in Prague, the 'Mining' exhibition offers a comprehensive chronological journey through the history of mineral extraction. The main hall, spanning 350 m², is complemented by a 490-meter model mine. Visitors can engage with the exhibition through archival materials, mining maps, construction drawings, photographs, and a diverse collection of objects, including Paleolithic digging tools, a large model of an idealized 16th-19th century mining landscape from the Ore Mountains, and modern coal shearers donated by Czech manufacturers. Multimedia presentations, including LCD monitors and 3D animated films, explain mining techniques, extraction methods, and complex mining technologies. The exhibition is integrally connected to a model ore and coal mine, primarily showcasing technology from the 1950s alongside early 20th-century objects. A smaller hall on the second basement level includes a playroom themed around mining, suitable for younger visitors. The Mining exhibition is situated adjacent to the History of Metallurgy exhibition.

The exhibition hall is freely accessible as part of the basic entrance fee. Access to the model mine requires a guided tour with a special fee.