Sex Machines Museum

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The collection includes mechanical 'love machines' designed during the Victorian era that were intended to provide stimulation through clockwork mechanisms.

2. 2

   The museum features one of the few surviving antique 'pantomime' chairs, designed for secretive intimate encounters in public settings.

3. 3

   Many of the items on display were sourced from private antique dealers and estate sales across Central and Western Europe.

4. 4

   The onsite cinema archive contains some of the earliest known examples of erotic moving images, including footage from the 1920s.

5. 5

   The building housing the museum dates back several centuries, reflecting typical Old Town architecture with thick stone walls and narrow staircases.

Overview

The Sex Machines Museum in Prague is a specialized exhibition dedicated to the evolution of mechanical erotic devices and historical curiosities related to human sexuality. Spanning three floors, the collection features over 200 exhibits ranging from 16th-century chastity belts to early 20th-century contraptions. The museum houses a small cinema that continuously screens vintage erotic films dating back to the early 1900s. The displays are categorized by historical era and functionality, emphasizing the industrial and mechanical approaches to pleasure throughout time. It functions as a private collection rather than a traditional state-run museum. The facility is located in a historical building in the heart of Prague’s Old Town district. It maintains a strictly educational and historical focus on the development of sex-related technology. No part of the collection is intended for actual use, as all items are preserved for viewing purposes only.

Insider tips

• The building is narrow with steep, winding stairs, so carry only essential items.

• Read the placards carefully, as they provide historical context that explains why these specific machines were created in their respective eras.

• Avoid visiting with children, as the exhibition is explicitly adult-oriented.