Muzeum barokních soch

About the museum

The Museum of Baroque Sculpture is housed in the carefully reconstructed former Capuchin church of St Joseph, very close to the centre of Chrudim. The conversion of the church into a museum won the Stavba roku Pardubického kraje (Building of the Year of the Pardubice Region) award in 2011, as well as a prize in the international LivCom Awards; the architectural design is by the studio Projektil architekti. The operator is the town of Chrudim, through the municipal cultural centre Chrudimská beseda.

The exhibition presents Chrudim as an important centre of Baroque art outside Prague. The town earned this status as early as the beginning of the 17th century thanks to the painting workshop of Matouš Radouš, and after the Battle of White Mountain also thanks to the painting of the Chrudim Salvátor, to which processions came from all over Bohemia and Moravia. An important work was the Transfiguration column on Resselovo náměstí, built in 1724–1732, to whose design Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel contributed.

On display are wooden and stone sculptures and paintings showing martyrs, saints, apostles and members of the Holy Family. Special attention is given to the sculptors Ignác Rohrbach and Jan Pavel Čechpauer, who lived and worked in Chrudim. The highlight of the exhibition is the altar of St Adalbert (sv. Vojtěch) from 1725; other treasures include the altarpieces by Joachim von Sandrart and the Calvary by Ferdinand Maxmilián Brokof. The visit includes two films and, for children, the Labyrint chrudimských pověstí in the former crypt. The museum is also a venue for cultural events; the largest is the Letní barokní scéna (Summer Baroque Stage) in mid-August.

Highlights

• Altar of St Adalbert (sv. Vojtěch) from 1725
• Sculptures by Ignác Rohrbach and Jan Pavel Čechpauer
• Calvary by Ferdinand Maxmilián Brokof
• Altarpieces by Joachim von Sandrart
• Labyrint chrudimských pověstí for children in the former crypt

Permanent exhibitions

• Stálá expozice barokního umění – Wooden and stone sculptures and paintings from Chrudim and the surrounding area, with particular attention to the sculptors Ignác Rohrbach and Jan Pavel Čechpauer; the highlight is the altar of St Adalbert from 1725.
• Labyrint chrudimských pověstí – A mysterious trail with tasks for children in the former crypt, introducing the best-known Chrudim legends; children receive a reward for completing the tasks.

Operated by

Město Chrudim – Chrudimská beseda

Admission & discounts

Admission to guided tours, lectures, educational and cultural programmes is stated for each event.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

For children there is an animated film about the Capuchin Fortunát and the Labyrint chrudimských pověstí, a mysterious trail with tasks in the former crypt, for completing which children receive a reward. Children under 3 enter free. The museum also offers educational programmes for schools and events, for example Kouzelné dýně (Magic Pumpkins).

Getting there & parking

A visit to the museum can be combined with the nearby Klášterní zahrady (monastery gardens) and the Prachárna bastion.

Amenities & dining

Films are screened in the museum’s cinema hall as part of the visit.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum has a Pronájmy (Rentals) page on its website; details have not been verified.

Plan your visit