Dům přírody Pálavy

About the museum

The Pálava Nature House was created through a comprehensive reconstruction and extension of the former archaeological museum building in Dolní Věstonice. The original historic building now serves as facilities, while the exhibition is housed in a newly built underground space.

The centre is part of the network of nature houses prepared by the Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR), and it functions as the visitor centre of the Pálava Protected Landscape Area. The Regional Museum in Mikulov takes part in its operation.

Immediately after entering, visitors are surrounded by an immersive four-wall projection with footage of Pálava through the seasons. The main part of the exhibition uses several hundred exhibits to show the diversity of Pálava's nature and explains how land management shaped the local landscape over millennia. Another section uses the memories of eyewitnesses to tell the story of Mušov, which was flooded by one of the Novomlýn Reservoirs. The exhibition includes a three-dimensional model of Pálava and a large aquarium. On the roof of the cellar building is a limestone rock garden with typical species, and the grounds have a sandpit with a mammoth slide. The house also contains a tourist information centre and a shop.

Highlights

• immersive four-wall projection
• hundreds of exhibits on the nature of Pálava
• three-dimensional model of Pálava and its surroundings
• the story of the flooded village of Mušov
• aquarium, limestone rock garden and mammoth slide

Permanent exhibition

• Expozice o přírodě a lidech Pálavy – The modern exhibition with an immersive projection presents the species diversity of Pálava and the history of settlement and of the lost village of Mušov, supplemented by a landscape model and an aquarium.

Operated by

Agentura ochrany přírody a krajiny ČR (provoz s Regionálním muzeem v Mikulově)

Admission & discounts

Discounts from the full admission price: 10% with a Sphere card, Senior Pass, Family Pass, Brnopas or military ID; 20% with an IDS JMK travel document; 50% with ISIC, ITIC, GO25 and MojaKarta cards and with ZTP and ZTP/P cards. Discounts cannot be combined. Free admission for children under 6, members of AMG ČR, the Council of Galleries of the Czech Republic (Rada galerií ČR), the Association of Museums of Slovakia (Zväz múzeí na Slovensku) and ICOMOS, and for war veterans. Outside normal opening hours there is a 50% surcharge per person. Payment is possible in cash or by card, in CZK.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The exhibition, shop, toilets and classroom are accessible without barriers. The operator publishes an accessibility guide.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Worksheets and research backpacks are prepared for children, and the grounds have a sandpit with a mammoth slide.

Getting there & parking

The house stands on the village green in the former archaeological museum building. The red hiking trail and the Pavlov archaeological trail (naučná archeostezka) to Pavlov pass by. There are bicycle racks at the house.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The house has a souvenir shop and a tourist information centre.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Nature House offers hire of spaces. Details are on the Space Hire page.

Plan your visit