Městské muzeum v Jaroměři – Wenkův dům
Museum in the Wenk department store building designed by Josef Gočár, with an exhibition on the history of the building and a gallery of Jaroměř artists Šíma, Španiel and Wagner.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum in Jaroměř is one of the oldest in the region. It was based on an exhibition of antiques held in 1879; in 1883 the establishment of a municipal museum was formally approved. The first exhibition opened in 1886 in the new boys' school on Ostrov. After the Second World War, on 11 May 1947, the museum moved to the former department store of the firm A. Wenke and Son.
The building was constructed in 1910–1911 to a design by the architect Josef Gočár, and the builder was J. Máša. It is a listed monument and one of the important monuments of modern European architecture. In 1985–1987 it underwent reconstruction, including replacement of the glass façade and restoration of the interior, and the historic lift was put back into operation after the flood of 2000.
The permanent exhibition on the ground floor introduces the history of the department store, the Wenk family, their car showroom, and the builder and architect. Much of it is interactive and aimed at children. On the first floor is the Šíma – Španiel – Wagner gallery, dedicated to natives of Jaroměř: the painter Josef Šíma and the sculptors Otakar Španiel and Josef Wagner.
Highlights
- Wenk department store designed by Josef Gočár in 1910–1911
- historic lift from the department store era
- Šíma – Španiel – Wagner gallery: Masters in the House of Modernism
- interactive exhibition for children, including the little car Aero 30
- Kabinet Polski – project Via Fabrilis
Permanent exhibitions
- Wenkův obchodní dům – stálá expozice – The ground-floor exhibition presents the history of the department store, the Wenk family, their car showroom and the architect Josef Gočár, and includes interactive elements for children.
- Šíma – Španiel – Wagner: Mistři v domě moderny – The first-floor gallery shows sculptures, sketches and drawings by the painter Josef Šíma and the sculptors Otakar Španiel and Josef Wagner, who were born in Jaroměř.
- Founded
- 1883
- Operated by
- Městské muzeum v Jaroměři
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 80 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 40 Kčseniors over 65, children aged 6 to 15, students |
| Children & teens | 40 Kčfree up to age 5 · children aged 6 to 15; children under 6 free |
| Seniors | 40 Kčover 65 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards, including companions, enter free |
| Students & apprentices | 40 Kč |
| Groups (10+ people) | –guided tours only for groups of 10 or more people; educational programmes for primary schools and kindergartens CZK 20 per pupil, accompanying teachers free |
| Families | 150 Kč2 adults and 1 to 3 children |
| Guided tour | 100 Kčreduced CZK 50; free for children under 6 and holders of ZTP, ZTP/P, AMG and ICOM cards; booking required |
Photography is included in the admission price. A request for reduced admission or free entry must be declared in advance when buying the ticket. Holders of AMG and ICOM cards also enter free.
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 museum is not fully accessible: for wheelchair users a gentle ramp leads to the historic lift (cabin 80 cm wide, load capacity 200 kg), and for heavy electric wheelchairs the lift is problematic. The ground floor, including the main hall with the permanent exhibition, is accessible even with an electric wheelchair via a mobile ramp at the main entrance (door 90 cm wide); telephone booking is recommended.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 150 Kč · 2 adults and 1 to 3 children |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The exhibition contains many interactive elements for children: children up to 10 years old can try driving the small Aero 30, and there are wooden toys, puzzles, a sales counter and a creative workshop with ornaments by the Wenke company. Family admission is CZK 150.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available · 5-min walk to the entrance
There is only limited space for parking in front of the building; the Square of the Czechoslovak Army (5 minutes' walk) or the car park by the Tesco store is recommended.
The building lies on the main road through the town towards Hradec Králové – Náchod, beyond the second roundabout from either direction.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The museum offers hire of premises; concerts and events take place in the main hall.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is included in the admission price. |
| Good to know | A guided tour is possible only for groups of 10 or more people and must be booked by phone. Educational programmes for schools are booked on +420 608 989 176 or by email at edukace@muzeumjaromer.cz. |
