Muzeum Krkonoš

About the museum

The Krkonoše Museum in Vrchlabí was founded in 1883 on the initiative of the Rakouský krkonošský spolek (Austrian Krkonoše Society). Its first collections consisted mainly of natural specimens. In 1920 the town museum and the society museum merged, but the premises soon proved insufficient, so from 1941 the museum also used part of the former Augustinian monastery.

After the war, the museum came under the district national committee, and in 1954 a branch in Hostinné was added. From 1966 it has been looked after by the Správa Krkonošského národního parku (Krkonoše National Park Administration). Due to the dangerous condition of the monastery building, the museum had to close in 1967; it reopened to the public only in 1984 with the exhibition “Kámen a život” (Stone and Life).

The museum opened its current permanent exhibition on 1 November 2023, after several years of reconstruction of the monastery. Across roughly 2,500 m² in the modern interior of the Baroque building, visitors are guided through the history of the Krkonoše from the formation of the first rocks to the present day, showing the long coexistence of nature and people. Since 2021 the collections have been housed in a new depository with conservation workshops in Hořejší Vrchlabí.

Highlights

• Approximately 2,500 m² of exhibition space in the modern interior of a Baroque monastery
• Live animals in terrariums and a theme on flowing water
• Gallery in the tunnels of a historic mine
• Staircase in the shape of a double DNA helix
• The biggest ecological disasters in the Krkonoše
• The Dětský důl (Children's Mine) room and the game Koruna Krkonoš for the youngest visitors

Permanent exhibition

• Stálá expozice Muzea Krkonoš – The exhibition traces the history of the Krkonoše from the formation of the first rocks to the present day and shows how nature and people in the mountains influenced each other. It includes terrariums with live animals, a gallery in the tunnels and the most significant ecological disasters.

Founded

1883

Operated by

Správa Krkonošského národního parku

Admission & discounts

Payment is possible in cash or by card. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult over 18.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Guide dogs and assistance dogs are permitted after prior approval at reception; restrictions may apply in some areas.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

In the exhibition you will find mechanical games and models as well as electronic quizzes, in which visitors can compete with each other. The youngest children look for 14 places in the Koruna Krkonoš game, collect stamps in a special passport and receive a small prize at the end. The Dětský důl room is also reserved for children.

Getting there & parking

The main glass entrance is on Dobrovského Street, below the cemetery; from Husova Street you need to walk around the building. From Střelnice, the route runs along 5. května Street past the church to Míru Square, then along Husova Street and past the monastery.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The museum café is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00–17:00, and can be entered without an exhibition ticket through the original monastery entrance from Husova Street.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit