Národní památník II. světové války

About the museum

The foundation stone of the memorial was laid on 29 April 1970 in the presence of President Ludvík Svoboda, but construction did not begin until 1976. It opened in 1980 as the Památník Ostravské operace (Memorial of the Ostrava Operation). The complex consists of an administrative building and the memorial itself, around which a symbolic cemetery has been laid out. A linden avenue also leads to the memorial, and military equipment stands nearby.

Originally it was a place of commemoration rather than a museum. Since 1992 the memorial has been part of the Silesian Museum, and since 2000, by government decision, it has been the central memorial of the Second World War in the Czech Republic. In 2005 it was closed for reconstruction, which began in 2006; it was solemnly reopened on 29 April 2009. In 2014 it received its present name, Národní památník II. světové války (National Memorial of World War II).

The main building houses the permanent exhibition Těžká léta 1938–1945, which follows the war from military and political perspectives, looks at the life of the civilian population, culture and the economy, and commemorates Czechoslovak soldiers on all fronts as well as the resistance at home.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition Těžká léta 1938–1945
• Sculpture group Lidické děti (Children of Lidice) by Marie Uchytilová
• Symbolic cemetery around the memorial
• Viewing platform of the memorial
• Regular guided tours of the exhibition

Permanent exhibitions

• Těžká léta 1938–1945 – The exhibition in the main building recalls the Second World War from military and political perspectives, the life of the civilian population, culture and the economy, and the participation of Czechoslovak soldiers and of the domestic resistance.
• Lidické děti – Plaster sculpture group of the murdered children of Lidice, which the sculptor Marie Uchytilová created in 1969–1989.

Founded

1970

Operated by

Slezské zemské muzeum

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Days of free admission to the permanent exhibitions according to the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic: 1 November 2026.

Free admission for, among others, children under 6 and holders of AMG and ICOM cards. Photography in the exhibitions without flash and tripod is free. Admission to the educational programme for booked groups costs CZK 50 per pupil.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 memorial is classed as a partially accessible building; the visitor centre is fully accessible. Steps lead to the entrance, which can be passed with a ramp; there is also a side barrier-free entrance, a lift for wheelchairs and a barrier-free toilet that can be unlocked with a Eurokey. A reserved parking space is by the building, and the nearest public transport stop is called Hrabyně.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum offers short-term rental of spaces from CZK 4,000.

Plan your visit