Muzeum Vysočiny Jihlava

About the museum

The Muzeum Vysočiny v Jihlavě is one of the oldest museums in the region. Efforts to establish it appeared in the 1880s, when German residents of the town wanted to record the history and life of the Jihlava language island. At the end of 1891 a museum society was founded; the museum was established in 1892 and first opened to the public on 23 June 1895. Between the wars it kept its German character; after the Second World War it passed under Czech administration.

In 1953 the institution moved, as a regional local history institute, into the restored historic houses No. 57 and 58 on Masaryk Square, where it is still located. In the 1960s and 1970s branches were added in Polná, Telč, at Roštejn Castle and in Třešť; the Polná museum separated from it in 2007. Since the territorial reform the founder has been the Kraj Vysočina (Vysočina Region), and the museum is the largest museum in the region.

The buildings on the square were modernised, during which the exhibitions were newly designed and supplemented with interactive elements. The museum reopened on 22 September 2023. Visitors learn about the history of Jihlava from the Gothic period to the 20th century, about the nature of the Českomoravská vrchovina (Czech-Moravian Highlands), about mining and minting in the town, and about the lapidarium. The collection holds approximately 141,000 objects.

Highlights

• history of Jihlava from the Gothic period to the 20th century in two historic houses
• exhibition on the water, meadows and forests of the Czech-Moravian Highlands
• mining and minting in Jihlava in underground spaces
• guild room, Kunstkomora (art chamber) and lapidarium
• family admission and free admission for children under 6

Permanent exhibitions

• Dějiny Jihlavy od gotiky po 20. století – The social-science exhibition follows the development of the town from the Middle Ages to the 20th century; it includes the guild room and the Kunstkomora (art chamber).
• Příroda Českomoravské vrchoviny – Natural science exhibitions present the water world, meadows and forests of the Czech-Moravian Highlands.
• Dolování a mincování – The exhibition in the underground spaces explains silver mining and minting in Jihlava; according to the museum's website, it was inaccessible at the time of processing because the rear wing was being reconstructed.

Founded

1892

Operated by

Kraj Vysočina (příspěvková organizace)

Director

RNDr. Karel Malý, Ph.D.

Admission & discounts

The prices stated apply to admission to the whole building (exhibitions and temporary exhibitions). Free admission for holders of AMG cards, ICOM and ICOMOS cards and the card of the Slovak Sväz múzeí; journalists by prior arrangement. Discounts are offered by family passes and by the joint regional ticket for museums and galleries run by the Kraj Vysočina. Online tickets can be bought on the museum's website.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 does not publish information on step-free access on its website; it is recommended to ask by phone on +420 733 663 687 or by e-mail at info@mvji.cz.

Kids & families

Family admission applies to the whole building and to the temporary exhibitions; family passes also give discounts.

Getting there & parking

The exhibitions are in the historic houses No. 57 and 58 in the north-western corner of Masaryk Square; the museum's seat is at Masarykovo náměstí 1224/55.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum rents out space for training courses and events.

Plan your visit