Jihočeské muzeum v Českých Budějovicích

About the museum

The Jihočeské muzeum (South Bohemian Museum) was founded in 1877 as one of the oldest regional museums. The first collections, made up of gifts from local residents and compatriots abroad, were opened to the public in spring 1877 in the House At the Three Crowns (U tří korun) next to the town hall. The growing collections led to the construction of a new museum building in Neo-Renaissance style on today’s Dukelská Street; it was built in 1899–1901 and opened to the public in 1903.

Today the museum is a regional museum of the South Bohemian Region with a focus on the natural and social sciences. Its permanent exhibition on nature, archaeology and folk culture on the second floor, covering 730 square metres, won first place in 2020 in the national Gloria Musaealis competition in the category Museum Exhibition of the Year 2019. The exhibition Příběh města (The Story of the Town) on the first floor tells the history of České Budějovice from prehistory to the second half of the 20th century and also offers a mobile app.

The museum also runs branches: the Muzeum koněspřežky (Museum of Horse-Drawn Railway), the Památník Jana Žižky z Trocnova (Jan Žižka of Trocnov Memorial) and the Archeoskanzen Trocnov, and the Tvrz Žumberk u Nových Hradů (Žumberk manor house).

Highlights

• Neo-Renaissance building from 1899–1901 in the centre of České Budějovice
• The Story of the Town exhibition on the history of České Budějovice, with a mobile app
• Exhibition Příroda, archeologie, národopis (Nature, Archaeology, Folk Culture), awarded by Gloria Musaealis
• Dioramas of South Bohemian nature, including a European elk and freeze-dried fungi
• Lifts, platforms, tactile exhibits and audio guides for loan

Permanent exhibitions

• Příběh města – Exhibition on the history of České Budějovice from prehistory to the second half of the 20th century, with selected artefacts, photographs and a section on the Second World War.
• Příroda, archeologie, národopis – Modern exhibition on the second floor about the nature, archaeology and folk culture of South Bohemia, with habitat dioramas, audiovisual technology and interactive elements.

Founded

1877

Operated by

Jihočeský kraj

Admission & discounts

The price list for the main building applies from 1 January 2026. According to earlier programme leaflets, admission is free for, for example, children under 6 and holders of ZTP/P cards with an accompanying person; the current list is in the complete price list on the website.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance and foyer have ramps; on the ground floor there are platform lifts (operated by staff) and a step-free toilet. Two lifts serve the 1st and 2nd floors, and there is another step-free toilet on the 2nd floor. Touch-screen information kiosks, tactile exhibits in selected exhibitions and audio guides for loan are available. Information in Braille is not available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The exhibition is intended for all age groups and works with audiovisual technology and interactive elements; a fun educational programme is prepared for schools, and a family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

The museum is housed in a historic building on Dukelská Street in the centre of České Budějovice.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit