If you haven’t heard of Franz Kafka, you might have heard of the phrase “Kafkaesque”. The author of “The Metamorphosis” and “The Trial” coined this term, which is loosely translated to mean something that is horribly complicated for no real reason. The sense of being powerless and at the mercy of a nonsensical, blind authority is something which most of us can relate to, and is just an example of why his works became so widespread, as they manage to capture a darker side of human existence that cannot be denied.

This museum dedicated to his work is dark and eerie, but thoroughly absorbing. Laid out in such a way that reflects the complexity and abstract nature of his work, going through it is a mind-bending experience. It is divided into two exhibits, “Existential Space”, which focusses on how the experiences he has had while growing up in Prague have shaped Kafka’s thinking and writing to an amazing extent. The next section, “Imaginary Topography”, instead underlines how the schools, apartments, offices and streets that he once frequented were captured in his stories through subtle allegories of suffering. Through a cornucopia of his letters, journal entries, photographs, soundscapes and 3D installations, gain insider knowledge of the twisted and dark maze that was this legend’s mind. Leave with a new understanding and appreciation of the genius behind the writing, and how the mysterious city of Prague is weaved into it all.