Langweil’s Model of Prague

Langweil's Model is a detailed paper replica of historic Prague, representing over 2,000 buildings of the city center at a scale of 1:480. It spans about 20 square meters (215 square feet) and shows houses, roofs, streets, and small details like trees and chimneys.

The model was hand-made from paper by Antonin Langweil between 1826 and 1834, showing Prague before major rebuilding projects of the 19th century transformed the city. It is an important record of how the city looked before many older buildings were demolished.

The model shows the old town and Jewish Quarter as they appeared before the late 19th-century renovation, giving visitors a sense of how the city was structured at that time. You can see how narrow the streets were and how buildings were packed closely together.

The model is housed in the Prague City Museum, which is currently under renovation until spring 2025. Plan to spend adequate time exploring the many details carefully, ideally with a magnifying glass or the museum's lighting.

The model contains about 9,000 hand-made chimneys and around 5,400 small trees, making the appearance of the city at that time feel more authentic. What particularly captures attention is a pair of tiny soldiers standing on a street, the only human figures in this massive replica.