Muzeum Soos – informační středisko NPR Soos
Museum at the entrance to the Soos national nature reserve, with exhibitions on the nature of the Cheb region, a geological park and a wildlife rescue station.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Soos reserve lies in the Cheb Basin and is known for its salt marshes, peat bogs and mofettes, from which carbon dioxide escapes from the depths. As early as the 1870s, mineral salts and peat were mined here for the spas in Karlovy Vary; later the entrepreneur Heinrich Mattoni also came to the area, whose company ran mining here and uncovered the so-called diatomite ridge, a rare formation on the bottom of a dried-up lake. After mining ended, the area became waterlogged and was settled by a specific salt-tolerant vegetation; in 1964 it was declared a protected area, and since 2016 it has had the status of a national nature reserve.
The museum was established as a branch of the Městské muzeum Františkovy Lázně (Franzensbad Town Museum) and, according to the directory of the Association of Museums and Galleries, dates from 1986. The permanent exhibition was installed on the site in 2000 and has gradually been extended with further sections. Today it guides visitors through the nature of the Cheb region and of Soos itself, the bird world of the region and the palaeontological exhibition Dějiny Země (History of the Earth), with life-size models of prehistoric reptiles. At the entrance lies a geological park, which places the site in the wider context of the Cheb Basin.
In 1988 a log-built granary from Kopanina dating from 1714, the oldest surviving example of its kind in the Czech Republic, was moved to the site. In 2020 a new information centre building was opened, with tourist facilities and a study room. The centre is run today by the Městské kulturní středisko Františkovy Lázně (Franzensbad Municipal Cultural Centre) in cooperation with the Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic; the site also includes a station for rescuing injured animals.
Highlights
- educational trail along a wooden walkway across the bed of a dried-up salt lake, with mofettes and mineral springs
- exhibition Dějiny Země with life-size models of prehistoric reptiles
- exhibitions Příroda Chebska and Příroda Soosu (Nature of the Cheb Region and Nature of Soos)
- exhibition Ptačí svět Chebska (Bird World of the Cheb Region)
- geological park at the entrance to the educational trail
- wildlife rescue station with permanently disabled animals
Permanent exhibitions
- Příroda Chebska a Příroda Soosu – The museum exhibition at the entrance to the educational trail introduces the nature of the Cheb Basin and the special features of the Soos reserve.
- Ptačí svět Chebska – The extensive exhibition presents the birds of the Cheb region; the wildlife rescue station with permanently disabled animals follows on from it.
- Dějiny Země – Palaeontological exhibition in a separate pavilion with life-size models of prehistoric reptiles.
- Founded
- 1986
- Operated by
- Městské kulturní středisko Františkovy Lázně (Městské muzeum Františkovy Lázně)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 130 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 110 Kčpensioners, students and holders of ZTP cards |
| Children & teens | 80 Kčfree up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 15 pay CZK 80; children under 6 enter free. |
| Seniors | 110 KčPensioners pay the reduced admission. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 110 Kčcompanion free · Holders of ZTP cards pay the reduced admission; holders of ZTP/P cards enter free with a companion. |
| Students & apprentices | 110 KčStudents pay the reduced admission. |
| Families | 290 KčFamily ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children. |
| Educational trail during the winter break (16 December – end of February), card payment at the machine | 70 KčOnly the educational trail in favourable weather; the museum buildings are closed. |
Entry to the information centre is free. Tickets for the museum and the educational trail are sold during the centre's opening hours.
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 centre states that it is barrier-free. The educational trail runs along a wooden walkway.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
| Family ticket | 290 Kč · Family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children. |
Children will enjoy the life-size models of prehistoric reptiles, the animal rescue station and the bubbling mofettes along the educational trail. Children under 6 enter free, and a family ticket is available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Nový Drahov (železniční zastávka)
The museum and the entrance to the geological park are at the railway stop Nový Drahov on the Tršnice–Luby line near Cheb. From Franzensbad, a red-marked tourist route of just under 6 km leads to the reserve.
By car
Free parking
The park-and-ride car park for cars and buses is free of charge.
The reserve lies about 6 km north-east of Franzensbad; it is accessible by road from Nový Drahov to the settlement of Kateřina via Hájek. Cycle route no. 2133 runs around the reserve.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The information centre offers souvenirs, information materials, tourist guides and regional literature; refreshments are also available.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | A visit takes about 90 minutes. Expert commentary in Czech, German or Russian can be arranged for groups of more than 10 people by telephone on +420 351 011 997 or by e-mail at info.soos@muzeumfl.cz. The educational trail is accessible only during opening hours with a valid ticket, only on foot and only along the wooden walkway in the direction of the tour; dogs must be on a lead. |
