Městské muzeum a galerie ve Svitavách

About the museum

The museum tradition in Svitavy goes back to 1894, when an exhibition of craft products from the Hřebečsko region was held in the town and some of the exhibited objects became the foundation of the collections of a new municipal museum. The institution gradually took its present form: on 27 April 1947 the new municipal museum was solemnly opened in the former Budig villa on Smetana Square, and in 1991 the Municipal Museum and Gallery in Svitavy was established as a contributory organisation of the town.

The museum focuses its collection, exhibition and educational work on the regional history, fine art, crafts and folk traditions of the Hřebečsko region, and in recent years also on biology and nature conservation. It specialises in the tradition of making nativity scenes and in laundry technology, which it presents in the largest exhibition of its kind in the Czech Republic.

The permanent exhibitions cover the history of the town in the Labyrinth of Svitavy Stories, the history of laundry with a working laundry, the story of Svitavy native Oskar Schindler in the exhibition Searching for the Star of David, and the nature of Svitavy. The museum also offers educational programmes for schools, lectures and workshops.

Highlights

• History of Laundry exhibition with around 50 washing machines and a working laundry
• Searching for the Star of David about Oskar and Emilie Schindler and the Jewish communities of the region
• Labyrinth of Svitavy Stories about the history of the town
• Fragments of Svitavy Nature with playful elements for children
• educational programmes for schools and the Art Academy

Permanent exhibitions

• Historie praní – The exhibition of about 50 washing machines and other aids shows the development of laundry washing from antiquity to automatic washing machines, and includes a working laundry.
• Hledání hvězdy Davidovy – The story of Oskar and Emilie Schindler and the history of Jewish settlement in the Czech-Moravian borderland, presented on thirty-four panels.
• Labyrint svitavských příběhů – The exhibition tells the history of the town, from the legend of its name to the stories of its builders, defenders, sculptors and painters, and shows objects from Svitavy households.

Founded

1947

Operated by

Městské muzeum a galerie ve Svitavách, příspěvková organizace města Svitavy

Director

Mgr. Hynek Stříteský

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of Svitavy with proof of permanent residence enter free on the first Sunday of every month.

Free admission for children under 6, children's homes, SOS children's villages, holders of AMG and ICOM cards, journalists and teaching supervisors. The Bonus Pass of the Czech-Moravian borderland (one ticket free) applies to purchased tickets. The price applies to current exhibitions as well as to permanent exhibitions.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

In the History of Laundry exhibition visitors can try their hand at laundry work; in the nature exhibition children can build a bird box, sniff mushrooms and look at animals under a magnifying glass. The museum offers the Barvožrouti programme, workshops and family passes.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop sells publications, souvenirs, handicrafts and toys.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 150 guests.

Hire of the concert and lecture hall of the Ottendorfer Library (150 seats), CZK 600 per hour.

Plan your visit