Discover the Timeless Treasures of Asia: The Art Exhibition Opening at Salm Palace

Salm Palace located in Hradčany Square is commonly called the small Schwarzenberg Palace. This elegant building, shaped like a classic three-winged palace with a formal courtyard, was built between the years 1800 and 1811 by Wilhelm Florentin, the Archbishop of Prague and Prince of Salm-Salm, based on the design by František Pawitschek. After 1811, it became the property of the Schwarzenbergs, who connected it with the nearby Schwarzenberg Palace. Although it was initially meant to be a high-end apartment building, in 2004, the National Gallery Prague took responsibility for Salm Palace and refurbished it to serve as exhibition space.

On Friday, 17 October 2025, a new ongoing exhibition titled Art of Asia across space and time will be launched in the palace . This exhibition begins with a look back at the historical context of European Orientalism and colonial policy. From the 16th to the 20th centuries, these factors played a significant role in raising awareness about Asian and Islamic art traditions and the organization of collections in Czech territories. Visitors will see historical depictions of Asian and Middle Eastern nations at world exhibitions, shop displays featuring products from the “Orient”, and private interiors showcasing “Oriental” decor. Simultaneously, the exhibition highlights important Czech researchers, collectors, and artists from the late 19th and early 20th centuries who engaged with these cultures in both professional and creative capacities.

The second, more extensive section of the exhibition centers on Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Islamic cultures spanning from the 3rd millennium BC to today. It adopts a multidisciplinary perspective, incorporating art history, Asian and Islamic studies, and museology. Presented in thematically organized segments, the exhibition will focus on spiritual traditions, writing and calligraphy, decoration and ornamentation, as well as the ways different cultures represent the natural and human experience. The exhibit also features audiovisual and interactive components, an Audio Guide, areas designated for rest and meditation, plus a space for lectures.