Muzeum Českého krasu

About the museum

The beginnings of the collections in Beroun go back to 1888, when the town council handed over the remainder of the archive and the old town books to a special commission. The commission gave rise to the association Museum and Public Library for the People in Beroun, whose first statutes from 1892 are regarded as the founding date of the museum. The collections moved several times: first to a new school building, then to the Prague Gate, before the First World War to the town hall, and from 1924 to Dusl Villa. During the war the association dissolved, and from 1919 the museum had been administered by the town.

In 1954 the town museum became a district museum, and from 1955 it was called the District Regional Museum in Beroun. After 1962, when Jana Čapková became director (until 2001), the devastated collections were gradually put in order. In 1965 the museum acquired the first floor of Jenštejn House on today’s Husova Square, and on 1 August 1968 it opened its first permanent exhibition there. In 1986 the neighbouring burgher house No. 88 was added.

The museum later also took over other sites: from 1969 a branch in Hořovice (today the Muzeum Hořovicka in the Old Chateau) and from 1988 the Town Museum in Žebrák. Since 1 June 1993 it has been called the Muzeum Českého krasu (Bohemian Karst Museum). It focuses on the Český kras (Bohemian Karst), Křivoklátsko and the Hořovice part of Podbrdsko, holds collections in archaeology, geology, nature, history and ethnography, and since 1976 has published the specialist journal Český kras.

Highlights

• Geological and palaeontological Barrandien exhibition with 224 exhibits
• Living Nature of the Český kras exhibition with almost 70 species of birds and mammals
• Exhibition on weapons from the Beroun region in the 18th and 19th centuries
• Ethnographic exhibition and exhibition on the crafts of the town of Beroun
• Geopark with large rock samples in the museum courtyard
• Branches in Žebrák and Hořovice

Permanent exhibitions

• Živá příroda Českého krasu – The exhibition presents almost 70 species of birds and mammals from the habitats of the Český kras, set against a panoramic photograph of the Berounka valley.
• Geologicko-paleontologická expozice Barrandien – 224 exhibits and a colour geological map of the Barrandien at a scale of 1:200,000 are displayed in one room on the first floor of house No. 88.
• Zbraně na Berounsku v 18. a 19. století – Since June 2014 the weapons exhibition has replaced the older Václav Talich Memorial Room and presents the collection objects in a modern way.

Founded

1892

Operated by

Muzeum Českého krasu, příspěvková organizace Středočeského kraje

Director

RNDr. Karin Kriegerbecková, Ph.D.

Admission & discounts

Due to the construction work and limited operation, from September 2026 the museum has temporarily reduced the admission price for the basic visitor tour to CZK 40 (reduced: CZK 25). Holders of AMG and ICOMOS cards, journalists and the teachers accompanying groups also enter free; discounts apply with the Berounsko Visitor Card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibitions in Jenštejn House are on the first floor and the building has no lift; by arrangement, the ground floor with short-term exhibitions can be made step-free. The geopark is largely step-free. Visually impaired visitors can use three tactile reliefs on the mezzanine and touch the rocks in the geopark; deaf visitors have text at the ticket office and QR codes in the geopark. Accessibility arrangements and programmes must be booked at least five working days in advance by telephone on +420 601 374 205 or by email at produkce@muzeum-beroun.cz.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum runs programmes for parents with children and for schools (for example Pravěký detektiv (Prehistoric Detective) in the geopark). In the geopark children can touch large rock samples. A family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in Jenštejn House on Husova Square in Beroun; the entrance to the geopark is from Slapská Street, or by prior arrangement from Havlíčkova Street.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The ground floor has a shop selling postcards, small gifts and regional publications. A computer with internet access is available free of charge at the ticket office.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit