Exhibitions
Weapons Through the Centuries
The historical premises of the Powder Tower turn into a place where tradition and craft intertwine with modern needs of the film industry. Inside the Tower, the visitor can find a world which might remind him of exhibitions known from many castles and strongholds. Yet, something special can be smelled in the air. This is because all weapons and armours displayed here featured in Hollywood or international films.
To illustrate the atmosphere of the particular film, the exhibition is installed in special showcases that have originally been manufactured for the Van Helsing movie and viewers saw them last during the dramatic scene of the burning castle. But, clearly enough, this was not the last time they could see them. The exhibition is operated by ABL, a.s., a company that runs Prague Towers, in cooperation with a renowned film and production company Three Brothers, s.r.o.
On the first floor, you will be welcomed by four stuck out barrels of cannons that represent different types of siege and defensive weapons. Here you can see the classic Baroque cannons, but also, for example, a chamber cannon or a small fortress cannon. The exhibition is also complemented by a collection of cutting and striking weapons represented, for example, by Viking weapons or by a replica of the Oriental chain armour with steel plates – a so-called Bekhter. Guns displayed on this floor featured in films such as Nomad, Black Death or The Pillars of the Earth epic series that was shot based on Kenn Follett’s historical novel.
The second floor focuses fully on films. Here you can find, for example, the horn and the sword from The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, the spear of Longinus from the Hellboy movie which is endowed with sacred power, working tools from Jack the Ripper, the dark knight’s armour from The Knights´ Tale, the sword from the Monkey King film, the throne from Joan of Arc, rapiers from the epic film Anonymous, or the deadly stiletto that featured in Blade II. The exposition is complemented by attractions such as the Masonic dagger or the sword custom made for the international MMORPG game World of Warcraft. And we must not forget the musicals - visitors will have a chance to view artefacts from Dracula. Little ladies will surely appreciate the chain mail for a Barbie doll, while boys will like the scale armour.
You are now at the very top of the Powder Tower from which you can view the heart of this beautiful and ancient city. This room is carefully guarded by armoured knights from different centuries. Here you can find royal armour, tournament or combat armour as well as many other unique pieces largely from the 13th – 16th centuries. Please notice also the historical helmets that represent a wide range of styles and periods. For example, Oriental or Norman helmets are on display here. Along the sides there is a small exhibition of shields out of which the beautifully painted Hussite pavise, a forged Norman shield, or large painted shields from the film Anonymous are especially noteworthy.