Muzeum milevských maškar
The only Czech museum about the town's Shrovetide procession: masks from the First Republic period, old photographs, a mini cinema, a children's workshop and a replica mask for photos.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Milevsko Masks Museum opened in 2017 and is devoted to the history of the Milevsko Shrovetide procession. It is housed in the Art Nouveau house no. 6 on E. Beneš Square, together with the tourist information centre. The Milevsko masks originate in medieval folk plays, in which the end of Shrovetide was celebrated with a procession with the main figure Bakus, carried on a cart. The procession gradually took on various themes, and participation was reserved mainly for the people of Milevsko.
Two world wars interrupted the tradition, and the interwar period was not favourable for it; the first silent footage of the procession was made in 1933, and it was revived only in 1969. After 1989 the tradition stagnated; a new flourishing came from 2009 onwards, thanks to the Maškarní sdružení association. In 2016 a record 1,248 masks gathered in Milevsko, and the procession was entered in the Czech Book of Records. In 2017 the Milevsko masks were inscribed on the List of Intangible Assets of Traditional Folk Culture of the Czech Republic.
The entrance to the museum is through the information centre. In the first exhibition room, in the former bank strongroom, there are masks from the First Republic period; on the first floor are the procession figures in larger-than-life size, old photographs, a cinema hall with documentary footage, a photo corner and a children's workshop.
Highlights
- masks from the First Republic period and figures of the procession in larger-than-life size
- old photographs and documentary footage of Shrovetide processions in the mini cinema hall
- photo corner with a replica mask and masquerade costumes
- workshop where children can paint their own mask (for an extra charge)
- Art Nouveau house on E. Beneš Square with the original vault in the former strongroom
Permanent exhibition
- Expozice milevských maškar – Masks from the First Republic period, figures of the Shrovetide procession in larger-than-life size, old photographs, a cinema hall with documentary footage, a photo corner and a children's workshop.
- Founded
- 2017
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 60 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 30 Kčpensioners, students, holders of ZTP cards, children aged 6 to 15 |
| Children & teens | 30 KčChildren aged 6 to 15 pay CZK 30; children aged 3 to 6 pay CZK 10. |
| Seniors | 30 KčPensioners. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 30 KčHolders of a ZTP card. |
| Students & apprentices | 30 Kč |
| Groups (10+ people) | –From 10 people, CZK 10 discount per person; for groups of 10 or more, one accompanying adult enters free, for 20–29 people two, and for 30–39 people three. |
| Families | 140 Kč2 adults and 2 children. |
| Children aged 3 to 6 | 10 Kč |
Presenting a Family Pass or Senior Pass card gives a 10% discount on admission. Groups of more than 10 people and school groups must be booked in advance.
Accessibility
- 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 accessible to people with limited mobility; a lift leads to the first floor. Toilets for visitors are on the first floor (key available from the guide on request).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 140 Kč · 2 adults and 2 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
The museum suits all age groups, from preschoolers to seniors. Children can paint their own mask in the workshop (for an extra charge) or colour in colouring sheets, try replica masks and masquerade costumes; tablets with interactive elements are also available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Autobusové nádraží Milevsko · 2-min walk
The bus station is about 2 minutes' walk from the museum; the railway station is about 15–20 minutes on foot.
By car
Parking available
Private cars can be parked directly on E. Beneš Square in front of the museum. A coach may stop briefly in front of the museum to let passengers out, and then park in the car park before the roundabout on the right in the direction of Kovářov and Petrovice.
The museum is housed together with the tourist information centre in house no. 6 on E. Beneš Square.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
On the ground floor of the information centre, ceramic souvenirs with masquerade themes, a brochure about the Milevsko masks, a visiting card and a tourist stamp of the museum are sold.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is permitted throughout the museum. |
| Good to know | A visit including the workshop takes about an hour, without the workshop about half an hour. A guide may accompany the tour and adapt the commentary to the age of the group. Admission is paid in advance at the ticket office in the information centre. The museum tour can be combined with a guided tour of the town of Milevsko (about 1.5 hours, booked in advance at the information centre). The museum's guidebook is available to download in German and English. |
