Muzeum železné opony Valtice

About the museum

The museum is housed in the former customs house near the Valtice–Schrattenberg border crossing, right where the border functioned for decades. It presents the long history of service on the state border, with a particular emphasis on the period from 1951 to 1989, when the border was guarded by the border guard and the Iron Curtain was built as an almost impenetrable barrier. The authors aimed for the most authentic possible picture of the situation at the border in the 20th century, without unnecessary ideological overlays.

The exhibition includes numerous uniforms, weapons, equipment, photographs and documents. It recalls the critical year 1938 in a reconstructed gendarmerie station, and the changing uniforms and border guarding system from the end of the war to 1989, including an original uniform of the Danube border guard and a supervisor's post from the early 1950s. Inside the museum there is a reconstruction of the first type of Iron Curtain made from original posts, a border guard station from the last decade of the regime, and a cellar with interactive elements.

The museum is designed to be hands-on: most exhibits are displayed openly and visitors can pick them up or try them out with the help of a guide. Groups from 15 people may visit the museum outside regular opening hours, for example on a night tour with lanterns. The operator is Banalita s. r. o.

Highlights

• Reconstruction of the first type of Iron Curtain made from original posts
• Gendarmerie station from 1938
• Supervisor's post from the early 1950s
• Border guard station from the last decade of the regime
• Uniforms, weapons and equipment that can be handled
• Night tours with lanterns for groups

Permanent exhibitions

• Četnická stanice – The exhibition recalls 1938, when the border was threatened by Sudeten German armed units and small gendarmerie stations defended themselves against superior forces.
• Železná opona – Original posts set into a diorama show what the Iron Curtain looked like at the border.
• Strážci hranic v poválečném Československu – The transformation of uniforms, weapons, equipment and the border guarding system from 1945 to 1989, including the uniform of the Danube border guard.

Operated by

Banalita s. r. o.

Director

Petr Pajpach

Admission & discounts

A tour in a foreign language is charged at a surcharge of 100% of the price.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The museum aims to engage visitors of all ages: exhibits can be handled, children can become gendarmes, and a family ticket is offered.

Getting there & parking

By car from Valtice along the road towards Schrattenberg and Úvaly. The museum lies at the junction of several cycle routes, for example the Greenways Praha–Vídeň cycle path no. 411 and the wine cycle path.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The souvenir shop sells items ranging from postcards to original pieces of the Iron Curtain, regional products and refreshments; tourist information is also available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 40 guests.

The museum offers spaces for celebrations, company parties, seminars and training (audiovisual room, cellar, training rooms for 20 to 40 people) with a view of the Pavlov Hills and the vineyards.

Plan your visit