Muzeum dr. Aleše Hrdličky
The Humpolec museum with a new folk-culture exhibition, an anthropological exhibition about the native son Dr Aleš Hrdlička, a puppet exhibition and a mineralogical collection.
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About the museum
The museum bears the name of the Humpolec native Dr Aleš Hrdlička, a world-renowned anthropologist. It was founded in 1895 with the aim of collecting spiritual and material monuments characterising the Czech Horácko region, and the first objects collected formed a folk-culture exhibition. In 1969, to mark one hundred years since Dr Hrdlička’s birth, an anthropological exhibition was added, and the first international anthropological congress was held in the town. The small folk museum thus also became known as an anthropological museum.
In recent years the museum has undergone significant changes. In 2019 a new version of the anthropological exhibition was presented, linked with Dr Hrdlička’s study and an Indian village, and in October 2025 a completely new folk-culture exhibition, Humpolecko v minulosti (Humpolec Region in the Past), opened, with interactive elements and a short animated film about flax processing and cloth-making. The two main exhibitions each occupy one floor of the building.
On the ground floor are the exhibitions Jak se žilo, jak se šilo (How They Lived, How They Sewed) (2014) on the work of seamstresses and shoemakers, a puppet exhibition (2009) aimed mainly at children, and a permanent exhibition of minerals from the region. At the branch on Dolní náměstí there is a permanent exhibition Peklo (Hell) with ceramic devils and mine goblins (permoníci) made by pupils of the local basic art school. The museum has been step-free since 2011.
Highlights
- Anthropological exhibition with Dr Hrdlička’s study and an Indian village
- New folk-culture exhibition Humpolecko v minulosti (October 2025)
- Puppet exhibition with hand puppets for children
- Permanent exhibition of minerals from the region
- Step-free museum with platforms and a ramp
Permanent exhibitions
- Antropologická expozice – New exhibition from June 2019 with sections on genetics, variability, anatomy, evolution, the anthropology of living humans and palaeopathology, linked with Dr Hrdlička’s study and an Indian village.
- Národopisná expozice Humpolecko v minulosti – Exhibition from October 2025 on everyday life, crafts, clothing and livelihoods in the Humpolec region, with folk costumes, musical instruments, village sounds and an animated film.
- Expozice loutek – About sixty marionettes, 40 cm tall; children can borrow hand puppets at the entrance and play with them.
- Founded
- 1895
- Operated by
- Městské kulturní a informační středisko v Humpolci
- Director
- Dagmar Kluchová
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 90 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 50 Kčchildren from 6 years, students, seniors over 65 and holders of a ZTP card |
| Children & teens | 50 Kčfree up to age 5 · children from 6 years |
| Seniors | 50 Kčseniors over 65 |
| Visitors with disabilities | 50 Kčholders of a ZTP card |
| Students & apprentices | 50 Kč |
| Groups | 30 Kč per personorganised groups of pre-school children (nursery schools, camps with younger children) |
| Families | 230 Kč |
| Separate admission – art exhibitions | 20 Kč |
| Separate admission – Peklo | 20 Kč |
| Separate admission – Puppets | 20 Kč |
Admission to the exhibitions covers all the museum’s permanent exhibitions and the mineral collection. Prices for other exhibitions and events follow the current price list. Payment is possible only in cash. Holders of AMG, ICOM and Svaz muzeí na Slovensku (Association of Museums in Slovakia) cards enter free (one person each); journalists by prior arrangement. Persons named Aleš (Alois) Hrdlička enter free upon proof of identity; persons with the surname Hrdlička or Hrdličková receive reduced admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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 museum has been step-free since 2011: inside there are two platforms, outside a ramp and an adapted surrounding area. A tour of the whole building is also possible for wheelchair users, less mobile visitors and parents with pushchairs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 230 Kč |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
The puppet exhibition is aimed mainly at children, and hand puppets can be borrowed at the entrance. The folk-culture exhibition has a playful children’s trail and interactive elements. The anthropological exhibition includes an Indian village. Educational programmes can also be booked for families and other groups of 10 or more paying participants. Family admission is available.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Sale of promotional materials; study room in the museum library.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The exhibition and concert hall can be used for exhibitions, concerts, discussions and lectures.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | For schools and organised groups, guided tours of the exhibitions (45–90 minutes, CZK 50 per pupil) and educational programmes such as Jak se žilo na Zálesí (How They Lived in Zálesí) or Indiáni (Indians) (CZK 60 per person) are available all year round by prior booking. Accompanying teachers enter free (1 person per 10 children). Orders by telephone on +420 565 532 115 or by email at muzeum@infohumpolec.cz. The museum also holds lectures and museum walks. |
