By the numbers: Máj Národní, Prague’s iconic building, packed with fun

With 12 official Czech Book of Records accolades under its roof, Máj Národní isn’t just big, it’s truly one of a kind. Since its grand reopening in June 2024, this iconic nine-floor building in Prague 1 has been reinvented to entertain absolutely everyone. Visitors from abroad as well as locals are treated to hours of games, historic footnotes and pop culture experiences, with floors of food and drink options unmatched elsewhere in the city.

Ready to see why? Let’s count the ways.

Spanning over 17,000 square meters, Máj Národní claims the title of Europe’s second-largest entertainment center, offering an endless amount of attractions for visitors. Originally built in 1975, this iconic building in the city center blends five decades of architectural history with bold, modern energy. 

Not sure where to start? Find your way to the interactive design corridor on the fourth floor, featuring infinity mirrors, projection mapping, and motion-reactive installations. With both local brands and international labels, you can shop ‘til you drop, including grabbing some groceries at the revamped Tesco supermarket on the bottom floor.

Forty meters above the streets of Prague, enter Fly Vista, the building’s elevated dining venue, where you’re greeted with the world’s largest ice bucket, a sparkling black-and-gold bathtub filled with champagne bottles. Guests can sip on over 100 varieties of champagne while perched at a marble bar that is 36 meters long, the longest in Europe.

The restaurant’s upper terrace, with its spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of Prague’s skyline, offers the perfect backdrop for any meal. Visitors are treated to unobstructed views of Prague Castle, Petřín Tower, the National Theatre, and more.

Head Chef, Karel Calder, known for his culinary delights across Europe under the banner of the Four Seasons, has crafted a menu of adventurous dishes like venison with pumpkin purée and gingerbread sauce, and a theatrical truffle-encased chocolate fondant that melts away to reveal a surprise. You can even reserve the whole space for your own private event,  providing a real sense of intimacy rarely found in other parts of the capital.

Fancy some fun and games combined with glitzy lights and flashing decor? Máj is a true “mini Las Vegas” spread across 7,000 square meters on four floors. 

At LEVELS, the center’s arcade and entertainment area, you can throw axes, shoot basketball hoops, or face off with a friend in a virtual motorcycle race. Formula 1 fans can try their speed skills with a racing simulator, while more grounded gamers can putt their way through an indoor mini-golf course covering 378.61 square meters. 

Take a break and grab a drink at their record-breaking 7.6-meter-high bar that connects two floors and displays a mesmerizing 702 bottles of alcohol. Their newly opened floor is Prague’s newest nightlife zone featuring live music, famous international guest DJs, a dancefloor, and a private party zone available for any occasion. 

For lovers of comic books and action films, Heroes Park on the seventh floor devotes over 750 square meters to history’s famous superheroes. Take your photo with life-size figures of Spider-Man, the Hulk, Batman, Iron Man, and Thor, and become a superhero for one afternoon with themed challenges like lifting Thor’s hammer, holding Aquaman’s trident, or snapping your fingers like Thanos (don’t worry, the world won’t disappear!).

Throughout the complex, 251 crystal chandeliers illuminate the gleaming halls, adding a luxurious sparkle to every corner, including the building’s food hall with its 750 seats. Casual dining options will delight foodies who want to indulge in Cajun fried chicken at Popeyes, fresh, health-conscious meals at dean&david, or local flavors at Prima Bašta, serving traditional Czech dishes like goulash and schnitzel. Creative pizzas are also available at Rud’s, ensuring that every palate is satisfied.

Suspended above a bar on Máj’s fourth floor is the world’s largest glass skeleton. Weighing just over 800 kilograms and spanning almost 5 meters tall, glassmaker Zdeněk Lhotský in Železný Brod designed the skeleton with 37 individual parts, each intricately hand-ground and polished to highlight the pale blue tint of the glass. Custom lighting makes the skeleton appear to float ethereally, making this record spooky and impressive.

History enthusiasts and curious learners, listen up: The high-tech, ultra-modern Back in Time exhibition at Máj Národní offers an interactive and unforgettable vortex into Czechia’s past, with one of the only 5D cinemas in the country.

The immersive journey transports you through 1,200 years of Prague’s history, including holographic projections, 10-channel surround sound, and sensory effects like wind, scent, fog, and vibrating seats. The 180-degree projection and moving seats whisk you into the past, where you’ll relive moments in Czech history like the 1968 Prague Spring, and encounter icons like Charles IV and Prague’s legendary Golem.

History manifests itself, too, on the outside of this impressive building. Two striking, blue and purple, seven-meter butterfly sculptures, mounted on World War II Spitfire fighter planes, adorn the outer façade of Máj Národní. At night, their wings gently flap and glow, bringing dynamic life to the building’s exterior.

Created by renowned artist David Černý, these sculptures are more than just an eye-catching decoration; they carry a very important message crucial to this 50-year-old building’s very existence. Černý’s work symbolizes peace and war, paying tribute to Czechoslovak RAF pilots who fought in World War II. According to the artist, his work reminds visitors of the “butterfly effect,” where small actions can trigger far-reaching consequences: an especially poignant message today.