Inside the blockbuster-style attraction bringing Prague’s past to life

Much like the Starship Enterprise, the time machine room that starts the Back to Life exhibition at Máj Národní House of Fun fills with projections, animations, and bleeps. The entrance closes behind you and the time machine comes to life, as your digital docents, “T” and “B,” introduce themselves and crack wise. Then, a portal opens to your right and leads you through a fantastic journey through 1,200 years of Prague history.

“Less museum, more experience.” That was the mission which inspired Infinite Experience Prague (IXP), the team who developed Back in Time, to create an audio-visual exhibition unlike anything else in Prague. They delivered by breaking out of the dry, static, traditional museum format, creating an entertaining, immersive, epic tale of Prague more suitable to modern audiences used to screens, sound, and interactive storytelling.

“We wanted to prove that history doesn’t have to be boring,” explains Judit Le Světlíková, brand marketing manager at IXP. “It can be an adventure that draws you into centuries long gone.”

Since its opening in March 2025, more than 30,000 time travelers have discovered the history that shaped Czechia’s capital into what it is today. We explored how the creative minds put it all together, and why Back in Time has become a new way for locals and international visitors to understand Prague beyond the usual walking tour.

The vision, design, and technology came together in partnership with Kraftwerk Living Technologies, an Austrian company specializing in audiovisual installations, LED screens, holographic projections, and 4D/5D cinema equipment. Kraftwerk played a critical role in addressing two important questions in the planning and design:

Thanks to the talents of people like Jakub Prantl, designer and concept artist at Kraftwerk, answers were found. He helped create the 50-minute whirlwind tour of Prague history across its eight rooms. For him, the element of surprise was key to his design. 

It all came together through cutting-edge audiovisual technology. Back in Time features more than 200 square meters of video surfaces, including 18 OLED and LCD displays, 4K holographic projection film, and 12 laser projectors. 

These create stunning scenescapes, many of which are unique to the experience. A standout is found in the Charles IV room, where holograms provide an audience with the Emperor himself. Also in the room is a curtain showing what Prague looked like during his reign, one of several original works of art made for Back in Time. 

The timeline stretches from Prague’s mythical founding by the princess and prophetess, Libuše, in the 9th century to the Prague Spring of 1968, when a brief flowering of liberalism was ruthlessly crushed by the Soviet Union.

The journey ends in the mirrored “Hall of Fame” that showcases digital portraits of Czech heroes, including former president of the Czech Republic Václav Havel, Romantic-era composer Antonín Dvořák, and legendary pop singer Karel Gott.       

Audio enhances the immersion in all rooms. The 128 speakers and 112 amplifiers put guests in the center of a spatial soundscape, making every step, shot, and gust of wind seem to come from around you, rather than projected from fixed speakers in front.

The immersion goes next level in the Golem room, where the legendary clay creature of the 16th century lies amid billowing mist, deep shadows, and glowing symbols of the four elements. 

The automaton's dramatic rise, complete with glowing red eyes, is a Back in Time highlight, created by film industry artists who worked on Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. Escaping the golem takes you into the 5D cinema next door, which moves audiences, literally, on a roller coaster flight through Prague history.

It’s no wonder Back in Time has been a hit for schools, welcoming 307 groups and 6,802 students since opening. As Le Světlíková emphasized, “Every scene blends filmmaking craft, modern technology, and thoughtful storytelling to ensure visitors feel part of the story. At Back in Time, it feels like you’re standing inside the past.”