PRAGUE GUIDE

The first museum in the world devoted to sexual gadgets. This is an exposition of mechanical erotic appliances, the purpose of which is to bring pleasure and allow extraordinary and unusual positions during intercourse. On an area of three floors there are more than 200 objects and mechanical appliances on view, a gallery of art with erotic themes, a cinema with old erotic films, erotic clothing and many other things pertaining to human sexuality.

A veritable treasure box of perverse goodies for anyone interested in sexual pleasure...which, let's face it, is all of us! Three floors in one of Prague's historic tenement houses are used to display the hundreds of artefacts in the museum's collection. Expect to see all manner of dildos, vibrators, funky condoms, harnesses, leather masks, whips, bondage equipment, erotic clothing and something called 'The Throne'. Some exhibits even come complete with mannequins to show you how they were supposed to operate. And yes, in many cases you do need to be shown - they're that bizarre!

Just as amusing as the many creative devices man has invented in order to increase the fun of the 'love act', are the devices that man has invented to prevent it from ever happening. Girdles, corsets, chastity belts and electronic anti-masturbation devices show us a glimpse of mankind at his most sexually repressed.

All of this begs the question of course, how did this little tawdry gem spring up in the heart of Prague's Old Town? Well, not without attracting a bit of controversy. The powers that be were certainly not too pleased when Prague's new tourist attraction opened its raunchy doors, with city spokesperson Martin Kupka telling journalists: "It's bad that these establishments are in the historical centre of Prague... Foreigners might think we just leaped out of the bush."

In fairness however the SMM did co-operate with some of the city hall's complaints and removed from their window display a machine featuring leather-clad mannequins tied up in a complex system of posts and pulleys and operated by a figure in a latex nun's outfit. Personally we can't see how that could have offended anyone...

Open 10:00-23:00 daily.

Location: Melantrichova 18, Prague 1.

Admission: 250 CZK (large groups discounts)