Galerie Benedikta Rejta v Lounech
Gallery of modern and contemporary art in a converted Baroque brewery in Louny, with a collection of constructivist tendencies and exhibitions on 1,500 m².
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About the museum
The gallery was founded in the 1960s in Louny, which at that time became one of the centres of Czech modern art thanks to a circle of artists around Zdeněk Sýkora, Vladislav Mirvald and Jan Sekera. In December 1964 the director of the district museum, the sculptor Josef Šimůnek, established a gallery department, which became independent in March 1966 as the Galerie Benedikta Rejta, focusing on contemporary art. It bears the name of the late Gothic architect Benedikt Rejt, creator of net vaults.
In 1967 the gallery acquired the building of a former burgher brewery. Reconstruction began in 1969, but until 1998 exhibitions were mostly held in substitute premises. Meanwhile the gallery prepared travelling exhibitions throughout the region. In 1995–1998 the brewery was reconstructed to a design by the architects Emil Přikryl, Tomáš Bezpalec and Tomáš Novotný. The building is a protected cultural monument; it retains the original vaults and pillars of rough stone and offers a view over the Ohře region (Poohří). The building was nominated for the European Mies van der Rohe Award for Architecture.
The collection numbers over 18,000 works. Its core was formed in 1964–1972, and it is among the most important collections of constructively oriented art in what was then Czechoslovakia. Since 2020 the gallery has been led by Kateřina Melenová. In 2025 the gallery also opened Studio PRONA in Louny, in a former furniture shop.
Highlights
- Collection of constructivist tendencies in Czech and Slovak art of the 1960s
- Works by Zdeněk Sýkora, Vladislav Mirvald and other artists from the Louny circle
- Building of a converted Baroque brewery with a view over the Ohře valley
- Studio PRONA in a former furniture shop
- Educational programmes and a children’s Art Club
- Founded
- 1966
- Operated by
- Příspěvková organizace Ústeckého kraje
- Director
- MgA. Kateřina Melenová
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 100 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 50 Kčstudents, children and seniors |
| Children & teens | 50 Kčfree up to age 5 · Children under 6 enter free. |
| Seniors | 50 KčSeniors pay the reduced admission. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Holders of a ZTP card enter free, including one accompanying person. |
| Students & apprentices | 50 KčStudents pay the reduced admission. |
| Families | 150 KčFamily admission 2+1 (two adults and one child) costs CZK 150. |
| Family admission 2+2 | 200 KčTwo adults and two children. |
Free admission: Admission to public openings (vernisáže) is free.
Holders of ICOM, AMG and ISIC cards (students of art schools) also enter free. Admission for accompanying and educational programmes may differ.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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
The gallery is step-free except for the basement spaces, which are used as exhibition space depending on the current exhibition. The building can be navigated by the visitor lift, with assistance from an accompanying person or gallery staff.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 150 Kč · Family admission 2+1 (two adults and one child) costs CZK 150. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
The gallery runs the Art Club, a regular afternoon club for children, animation programmes and workshops for the youngest children and their parents, and educational programmes for schools. A family ticket is available.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
A free cloakroom with lockable cabinets is at the reception. Catalogues and other publications are sold in the foyer and in the gallery’s e-shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming with a mobile phone, without a tripod or flash, are free; photographing with a camera or video camera costs CZK 50. |
| Good to know | The exhibition space covers 1,500 m² on one above-ground and three underground floors; take care when walking on the third basement level. Large bags and backpacks over 30 × 30 × 20 cm are left in the cloakroom. Food, drinks, animals and bicycles are not allowed in the building. Children under 6 must be held by the hand or pushed in a pram at all times. |
