Městské muzeum v Kadani

About the museum

Kadaň has had a museum for more than a century. In 1903 the town council called on residents to support the founding of a museum, in 1905 the Společnost přátel muzea (Society of Friends of the Museum) was established, and from 1935 the museum was housed in house no. 115 on the square. At the end of 1975 the old Kadaň museum was abolished and its collections were taken over by the museum in Chomutov.

The present Městské muzeum v Kadani was founded in spring 1999, when the first exhibitions on minerals and fossils were opened in the historic cellars of the Franciscan monastery. In 2004, after the monastery's reconstruction, the permanent museum workplace began operating and the exhibition Život v klášteře (Life in the Monastery) opened; a year later the exhibition Pohledy do minulosti Kadaně (Glimpses into the Past of Kadaň) was added. Since 2008 the museum has been part of the contributory organisation Kulturní zařízení Kadaň. The Franciscan monastery of the Fourteen Holy Helpers was founded at the end of the 15th century thanks to the Lobkovic of Hasištejn family; it is a national cultural monument with unique murals and a cellar-type vault.

The museum gradually took over other objects in the town: in 2013 the Minorite Bastion with the Militaria exhibition, later Kadaň Castle, the Mikulovice Gate and the town hall tower. The monastery church was reopened to the public on 3 July 2021, after extensive restoration.

Highlights

• Gothic Franciscan monastery with a cellar-type vault and wall paintings
• Monastery church of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
• Largest collection of minerals in the Chomutov district
• Militaria exhibition in the Minorite Bastion
• Monastery gardens with animals and a vineyard

Permanent exhibitions

• Život v klášteře – The tour presents the life of the monks and the significance of the order for the town, and includes a visit to the church with its wall paintings and cellar-type vault.
• Pohledy do minulosti Kadaně – The exhibition tells the history of the town and how it changed over time.
• Mineralogické a geologické zajímavosti regionu – The uncommented tour shows the largest collection of minerals in the Chomutov district.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Kulturní zařízení Kadaň, příspěvková organizace

Director

Petr Liebscher

Admission & discounts

The basic and reduced admission stated above applies to tour II, Život v klášteře (Life in the Monastery); prices for the other tours are in the list of additional tickets. School programmes cost CZK 30 per pupil.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The monastery garden with goats, ponies and a vineyard attracts families with children; in the Minorite Bastion children can try replicas of weapons and armour. The museum offers family tickets and school programmes.

Getting there & parking

The monastery can be reached on foot from Mírové náměstí along Jana Švermy street, through the Mikulovická brána (Mikulovice Gate), or along the embankment of Maxipsa Fíka; bicycle stands are at the porter's lodge.

Amenities & dining

• Café

In the monastery gardens the refreshment spot Konírna (drinks and light snacks) operates from May to September.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit