České muzeum stříbra

About the museum

The České muzeum stříbra traces its origins to the Vocel Archaeological Corps, founded as early as 1877 to protect historically and artistically valuable monuments of the Kutná Hora region. Today it is one of the oldest and richest museums in the country, and its staff manage more than 170,000 collection items. The largest part is archaeology, with almost 120,000 pieces, followed by numismatics (about 19,000 pieces), fine art, geology, applied art, and a collection of mining technology whose exhibits are among the oldest in Europe.

The museum’s main seat is the Gothic Hrádek in Kutná Hora, a town on the UNESCO list. The first tour, “Město stříbra” (City of Silver), covers the geology of the Kutná Hora ore district, archaeology, the origins of the town after the discovery of silver, the building development of Hrádek and the life of the so-called silver nobility. The hall called the treasury is devoted to Czech coins minted in Kutná Hora. The second route, “Cesta stříbra” (Silver Road), shows medieval ore mining and processing and coin minting; it includes a replica of mine workings, the original horse-driven trejv winding machine, and a section of about 250 metres of an authentic medieval mine.

The museum also manages other buildings. The Kamenný dům (Stone House) holds an exhibition on the life of townspeople in the upper town and a lapidarium; Tyl House, the birthplace of Josef Kajetán Tyl, is temporarily closed. Each year, six to eight exhibitions, concerts, lectures and social events take place in the museum’s halls.

Highlights

• Tour of about 250 m of the original medieval silver mine, in a helmet and miner’s smock
• Replica of the mine workings and the original horse-driven trejv winding machine
• Treasury hall with an overview of coins minted in Kutná Hora
• Mining technology collection, one of the oldest in Europe
• Kamenný dům with an exhibition on life in the royal mining town, and a lapidarium
• The exhibition Dílo havířské in the cellar, and gardens with the Havířská osada and a gallery of Baroque sculptures

Permanent exhibitions

• I. okruh – Město stříbra – Individual tour on the geology of the Kutná Hora ore district, archaeology, the beginnings of the town, the building development of Hrádek and Czech coinage.
• II. okruh – Cesta stříbra – Guided tour on medieval mining and processing of silver ore and on coin minting, including a walk through an authentic medieval mine.
• Kamenný dům – Královské horní město – Exhibition in the Gothic Kamenný dům on the life of townspeople in the upper town, the role of the Church and the economic background of the town.

Founded

2004

Operated by

České muzeum stříbra, příspěvková organizace

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On every odd-dated Friday of the month: free entry to the courtyard of Hrádek, the exhibition Dílo havířské, the gardens with the Havířská osada and the gallery of Baroque sculptures, and the exhibition on the ground floor.

Prices apply to Hrádek unless otherwise stated. The admission price for the main exhibitions of Hrádek includes a visit to the temporary exhibitions currently running in its halls. Card payments are made at the ticket office; a 5% discount applies to seniors aged 55 to 65 with a Senior pas card, and a 10% discount applies to children with a Family Pass.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Hrádek is not step-free, nor is Tyl House. Entry to the mine is not recommended for people with claustrophobia or epilepsy, for people in poor health, or for pregnant women in the late stages of pregnancy; the mine tour can be skipped and only the surface exhibitions visited.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The family ticket covers 2 adults and 2 children under 15. The museum runs programmes for schools and holiday camps. Children under 6 may not enter the medieval mine, and children aged 6 to 10 may enter only with an adult. Group visits by children are possible from age 10 or from the 4th grade of primary school, with teacher supervision.

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Barborská 28, 284 01 Kutná Hora; GPS 49°56′51.9″ N, 15°15′55.4″ E.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum also serves as an unofficial information centre for tourists and has its own shop selling books and souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

The representative rooms of Hrádek, such as the Knights’ Hall, host concerts, lectures, social gatherings and celebrations.

Plan your visit