Alchemy Museum
Alchemy Museum
2.5
About
The first museum in the world entirely devoted to the history and study of alchemy features unique objects, mysterious texts and some clues about the mythical "Philosopher's Stone."
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
2.5
30 reviews
Excellent
2
Very good
7
Average
8
Poor
5
Terrible
8
Ladi D
earth10 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
I loved absolutely everything about Kutna Hora and it really bothers me to say anything negative at all about anything there but this place?? Upon arriving in Kutna Hora, we were armed with very minimal information about things to see and do. The Sedlec Ossuary, of course, the silver mine, and I had remembered reading something somewhere about an alchemy museum. I was quite excited about it as it's a refreshing change from the same old Catholic church alchemy one finds on every corner. Literally.
This alchemy museum? Notsomuch. It's a couple of rooms with some zombie looking mannequin folks doing alchemy-ish stuff. I think there must be a local craftsperson who makes these museum zombies because they have Silver Miner Zombies at the silver mining museum as well. Maybe a town discount? There is also a random fiberglass (?) golem in a golem nook and a completely out of context television in a multi-faceted mirrored corridor (which was actually really very cool looking but we just could not figure out how in the world it was connected to the rest of the exhibit).
The Good Things:
The information about the history of the place itself is quite interesting but I really wish they had gone more in depth. They certainly could've gone more in depth on the description of what alchemy is; I found their explanation to be extremely rudimentary with regards to that.
The location is authentic as are a great number of the instruments found in the rooms. I don't know why, but that seemed to take a bit of the edge off of the contrivance of the rest of it all.
It wasn't an amazing experience but it certainly wasn't the worst museum I've ever been to (yeah, Vatican, I'm talking about you). I wouldn't even consider it a waste of time and money because at about $2.50US, you can look around a basement for about five minutes. No, it's not wonderful and I'm not sure that calling it a museum is accurate but it's not offensively awful.
(I still really love you, Kutna Hora, please don't be mad at me!)
This alchemy museum? Notsomuch. It's a couple of rooms with some zombie looking mannequin folks doing alchemy-ish stuff. I think there must be a local craftsperson who makes these museum zombies because they have Silver Miner Zombies at the silver mining museum as well. Maybe a town discount? There is also a random fiberglass (?) golem in a golem nook and a completely out of context television in a multi-faceted mirrored corridor (which was actually really very cool looking but we just could not figure out how in the world it was connected to the rest of the exhibit).
The Good Things:
The information about the history of the place itself is quite interesting but I really wish they had gone more in depth. They certainly could've gone more in depth on the description of what alchemy is; I found their explanation to be extremely rudimentary with regards to that.
The location is authentic as are a great number of the instruments found in the rooms. I don't know why, but that seemed to take a bit of the edge off of the contrivance of the rest of it all.
It wasn't an amazing experience but it certainly wasn't the worst museum I've ever been to (yeah, Vatican, I'm talking about you). I wouldn't even consider it a waste of time and money because at about $2.50US, you can look around a basement for about five minutes. No, it's not wonderful and I'm not sure that calling it a museum is accurate but it's not offensively awful.
(I still really love you, Kutna Hora, please don't be mad at me!)
Written September 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clint26
Fort Worth, TX46 contributions
Just dont go......if you get anything out of tripadvisor just dont go it was three rooms of wax figures
Written May 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeenTravelbug
Vancouver, Canada52 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
We decided to give this place a try because alchemy sounded interesting. We were not impressed. The most interesting part of the museum was the paper that they gave us to describe alchemy; it's the same information that you could probably get off Wikipedia and the exhibits didn't add anything to the explanations. Honestly, with the over-the-top sound effects, unconvincing mannequins, and overdone lighting, we were beginning to feel like we were in a children's haunted house!
Written July 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa S
Tucson, AZ232 contributions
Sep 2011 • Couples
I was so excited about visiting this little museum. It sounded quirky and interesting. And the Rick Steve's guide supported that notion. However, it is a dud. There are two rooms, which are kind of neat, in a gothic dungeon sort of way. The two rooms show what an alchemist's lair might look like all set up, with dummies in period dress. But there isn't even really a very good description of what alchemy is and what the life was like for an alchemist. Two rooms. Seriously. Done in 10 minutes. Don't waste your money.
So disappointed.
So disappointed.
Written September 19, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jss697
Clarksville, MD326 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
This place is closed. Cross it off your list. We emailed the contact and he very nicely gave us recommendations of other things to see, but this museum is no longer available.
Written January 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EvaF2Eva
Lorrach, Germany5,130 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
This museum used to be much better. I visited it with my son several years ago and we were excited, therefore I was looking forward to come back in May 2015. Unfortunately I have to same this was disappointment. Expositions are much smaller, not well maintained.
Written January 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
newpaper-addict
Ballynahinch, UK46 contributions
What a waste of time and money. The pictures outside looked good but they were obviously shot in better lighting than that currently in use.
Apart from the initial reception room which looked ok, everywhere else was so dark it was hard to know what was there. We asked for a guide but apparently this is only available to those who understand Russian. There were signs on the walls explaining the exhibits but small writing combined with low lighting meant they were pretty tedious to read. Also no child friendly signage.
Don't bother with this museum would be my advice.
Apart from the initial reception room which looked ok, everywhere else was so dark it was hard to know what was there. We asked for a guide but apparently this is only available to those who understand Russian. There were signs on the walls explaining the exhibits but small writing combined with low lighting meant they were pretty tedious to read. Also no child friendly signage.
Don't bother with this museum would be my advice.
Written November 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miika M
Lappeenranta, Finland43 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
We went there expecting to be dissapointed, but were pleasently surprised in the end. Sure, it's small - 4 rooms only - but thy've really put some effort in the presentation! Instruments are really cool and there are lots of funny and interesting stories to read... And on top of that the location is really impressive and authentic too. It's quick to see through and not too expensive, ie. worth the visit anyway. It's not too serious, so just find your inner child and enjoy!
Written October 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndaGeorgiana
Bucharest, Romania30 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
This museum has just 2 rooms, both with some wax figures and little info about medieval alchemists and it costs abou 6 euro. The only authentic thing is that the 2 rooms were once a place where such men were looking for the philosopher's stone. You should definitely visit it only if it rains cats and dogs (this is how I end up there).
Written April 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ieatthereforeiam94
Sydney, Australia61 contributions
Aug 2015
I found the Museum quite interesting and informative. I liked that even though the lab was mostly destroyed by flood, it seemed to be restored to its former glory and the theme is maintained with well matched sound effects and lighting. The only way to enter is with a tour and tickets were approximately 6 euro for a student. The guide was informative however she seemed a little disinterested with her talk sounding more like a speech that she was repeating. In saying that though, it was really cool to see!
Written September 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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