Městské muzeum Čáslav

About the museum

The Městské muzeum in Čáslav is one of the oldest rural museums in Bohemia. It is housed in a single-storey neo-Renaissance building that was built specifically for museum purposes in 1884 to a design by František Tetřev; the construction was paid for from the reserve fund of the Záložna čáslavská (Čáslav savings bank). The building was opened to the public on 22 November 1885. The dome of the building bears a gilded copy of the St Wenceslas Crown.

Two collections, which had developed separately for a long time, moved into the new building. Josef Kaunický, a patron of the museum and a piano technician by trade, donated a large collection of natural specimens to the town in 1881. The second was formed by the collections of the archaeological and museum society Včela Čáslavská (Bee of Čáslav), founded in 1864, whose long-time chairman was Kliment Čermák. The two units merged in 1910.

The original exhibits have been preserved and are displayed in period cabinets, so they document how collections were presented in the 19th century. In 2018 the Ministry of Culture declared the furnishings of the municipal museum and library a cultural monument. Today visitors will see, besides the natural history exhibition, also collections of applied art and ethnography, the exhibition Brána do pravěku (Gateway to Prehistory), and an exhibition devoted to the medieval town.

Highlights

• 19th-century natural history exhibition in period cabinets, with a collection of hummingbirds
• Collection of Harrachov glass and two Samurai armours
• Gateway to Prehistory exhibition in the vaulted cellars, with an interactive section
• Medieval stove tiles from Lichnice Castle and the Medieval Town exhibition
• Neo-Renaissance building from 1884 with a dome

Permanent exhibitions

• Přírodovědná expozice – The exhibition has been preserved in its original 19th-century form and is based on the gift of Josef Kaunický. Animal specimens from around the world are in period cabinets, including a rare collection of hummingbirds.
• Umělecko-průmyslová expozice – The main part is a collection of Harrachov glass from the Nový Svět glassworks, supplemented by pewter, ceramics, porcelain, moulds and objects from the Far East, including two Samurai armours.
• Brána do pravěku – In the museum's cellars, the exhibition traces the prehistoric development of the Čáslav region from the first settlers seven thousand years ago to the prehistoric Hrádek. It includes a Neolithic house, a Celtic woman in period dress and an interactive section.

Founded

1885

Operated by

Městské muzeum a knihovna Čáslav

Director

Bc. Michaela Dvořáková, DiS.

Admission & discounts

Children under 6 enter free, as do holders of ICOM and AMG cards and members of the Klub přátel muzea (Museum Friends Club).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The exhibitions are on the ground floor and the first floor, which are connected by a staircase.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The Gateway to Prehistory exhibition has an interactive section.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A small shop with souvenirs and specialist literature.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit