The Infinity Book Tunnel is a pretty cool illusion to visit. So if you’re a book lover (or illusion lover) and you’re visiting Prague, then this attraction is a must-see! Here is everything you need to know about visiting this fun book illusion in Prague, including bookish things to do nearby!
What is the Infinity Book Tunnel in Prague?
The Infinity Book Tunnel, also known as the Infinity Book Tower and the Idiom Installation, is a column made of 8,000 books that were donated or saved from landfill! It was originally displayed at São Paulo’s International Biennial in 1995 by the Slovak artist Matěj Krén, who dubbed it the “Column of Knowledge.” In 1998, it found a permanent home in Prague and has been there since!
At first glance, it looks like a regular tower made of books, but when you take a peek inside through its tear-shaped opening, it appears to go on forever! This Tunnel explores the theme of infinite knowledge one can gain from reading, and as a bibliophile, I’m a huge fan of this metaphor!
Matěj Krén has also created other pieces of work exploring this topic, such as the “Passage” and the “Gravity Mixer.” The “Passage” was presented at the Bratislava City Gallery in 2004-2005, where you can walk down a hall with never-ending rows of columns of books on the walls. Meanwhile, the Gravity Mixer was a rotunda made of Books and was part of the Czech pavilion at EXPO 2000 in Hanover.
How does this illusion of infinite books work, you ask? There are mirrors placed at the bottom and top to make it look like an infinite vortex of books!
Where Is the Infinity Book Tunnel in Prague?
The Infinity Book Tunnel is located in the lobby (right by the entrance) of the Municipal Library of Prague:
📍Mariánské nám. 98/1, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
The opening hours are currently:
- Monday: 1 pm – 8 pm
- Tuesday – Friday: 9 am – 8 pm
- Saturday: 1 pm – 6 pm
- Sunday: Closed
How to Visit the Infinity Book Tunnel in Prague
You’ll be glad to know that the Infinity Book Tunnel is very close to Old Town Prague and only a 5 minute walk from the Astronomical Clock! Just walk past the Astronomical Clock, towards Melantrichova. Turn onto Malé Nám and walk up until you reach a 3 way crossing. Cross the street and turn left to Platnéřská, continue walking down, and you’ll find the Municipal Library of Prague on the right-hand side!
When you visit the Municipal Library of Prague, you’ll find that there are multiple doors. When I initially tried to find where the tower was, I saw people lining up outside by one door but walked straight through the main door. When I walked in, I saw the book tower, but it had barriers. I didn’t realise that the queue was for taking photos at the Tower!
Even though I visited Prague during the off-season (January), this attraction was still pretty popular, so visitors will inevitably spend a while taking photos and videos for their Prague Instagram posts. I waited about 15-20 minutes, but it definitely felt longer since the queue went all the way outside and it was freezing!
So if you ever decide to visit the Tunnel, whether during the busy season or off-season, make sure you give yourself enough time, as you’ll be waiting up to 30-60 minutes to take photos and see inside! To avoid the long queues, I would recommend visiting during the morning or the late evening!
Is the Infinity Book Tunnel Free?
Yes, the Infinity Book Tunnel is completely free to visit! Best of all, it’s also free to take pictures! However, the Municipal Library requests that photography and filming of the Idiom be for your own use and without the use of a tripod. They also request to not touch it.
Bookish Things to Do Near the Infinity Book Tunnel in Prague
Explore the Municipal Library of Prague
Since the tunnel is in the Municipal Library of Prague, you might as well explore the building too! You can access newspapers, magazines, books, wifi and study spaces in the library completely free of charge!
The second floor is an exhibition space used by the Prague City Gallery, showcasing modern Czech art from the 19th and 20th centuries. This space, however, charges a fee of 200 CZK for adults and 90 CZK for students.
Tour the Klementinum Library
📍Mariánské náměstí 190/5, 110 00, Staré Město, Praha 1, Czechia
The Klementinum is one of the largest building complexes in Europe and is only around the corner from the Municipal Library. Although most of the building is closed to the public (and there’s no official website to book Klementinum tours), you can book a tour where you’ll explore the baroque Library Hall and the Meridian Hall, as well as the Astronomical Tower.
The Library Hall is beautifully decorated with art themed fresco paintings, and even displays a collection of globes. The Meridian Hall is on the second floor and was used for measuring, calculations, and determining the exact time of high noon.
This tour also grants you access to the Astronomical Tower where you can see the stunning panoramic views of the city from 68 meters high!
Book Here: Klementinum Library & Astronomical Tower Guided Tour
Alternatively, you can wander around the courtyard for free and admire the peace and quiet it provides away from the noise of the city!
Visit the Library of the Czech Academy of Sciences
📍 Národní 3, 110 00, Staré Město, Praha 1, Czechia
Located in Old Town is the Library of the Czech Academy of Sciences, only a 13 minute walk from the Municipal Library. The interior has insane architecture with emerald lamps, marble columns, and unique archival materials. This is another bookish location in Prague that book lovers will admire! Not only is the library insanely pretty, but it also makes for a cool study space! It’s open Monday to Friday from 9 am-7 pm.
Visit the Franz Kafka Museum
📍Cihelná 635, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
The Franz Kafka Museum is located across Charles Bridge and is also a 13 minute walk from the Municipal Library!
Franz Kafka was a famous novelist and writer from Prague. One of his famous works is The Metamorphosis. You’ll find tons of things named or dedicated to him in Prague, including this very museum featuring 2 permanent exhibitions: “Existential Space” and “Imaginary Topography.”
“Existential Space” features Kafka’s personal belongings, including diaries, photographs, and manuscripts. Meanwhile, “Imaginary Topography” features the physical topography (land arrangement) of Prague, hinted at in Kafka’s novels and stories. There’s also a museum shop where you can grab a souvenir to commemorate your visit! The museum is open every day from 10 am – 6 pm.
Book Here: Kafka Museum Entry Ticket
Go Book Shopping
Shakespeare & Sons
📍U Lužického semináře 10, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
Located across the river and only a 13 minute walk from the Municipal Library, Shakespeare & Sons is an independent bookshop with 20,000 new and old English and French books. It’s one of the largest independent bookshops of its kind in Prague, despite its cozy exterior!
Globe Bookstore and Cafe
📍Pštrossova 1925/6, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Globe Bookstore and Cafe is located in New Town and is a 15 minute walk from the Municipal Library. They offer coffee and Czech cuisine while being surrounded by many books, but that’s not all! You can listen to literary readings, live music, or attend a quiz night too!
How to Visit the Infinity Book Tunnel in Prague: FAQs
What are the opening times for visiting the Infinity Book Tunnel?
The opening times are:
• Monday: 1pm-8pm
• Tuesday – Friday: 9am-8pm
• Saturday: 1pm-6pm
• Sunday: Closed
How does the Infinity Book Tunnel work?
The Infinity Book Tunnel illusion is made from two mirrors at the bottom and top of the column, making it seem like the tunnel goes on for infinity. It was made by Matěj Krén, who created it to symbolise the infinite knowledge you gain from reading.
How to Visit the Infinity Book Tunnel in Prague: Final Thoughts
Visiting the Infinity Book Tunnel is such a fun experience, especially if you’re a book lover! And what’s even better is that you can explore the rest of the library it’s located in free of charge, and other libraries in Prague, as well as the Franz Kafka Museum and bookshops!
More guides for your trip to Prague:
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