Památník Antonína Dvořáka ve Vysoké u Příbramě

About the museum

In Vysoká u Příbrami, Antonín Dvořák found a second home for more than twenty years. His brother-in-law, Count Václav Kounic, had a neo-Renaissance château built in 1878 near the forest, with an extensive park, designed by the architect Čeněk Gregor. Dvořák came here as a guest of the Kounic family, and in 1884 he bought from his brother-in-law a plot with a granary and a sheepfold, which he turned into a home later named Villa Rusalka. In Vysoká he composed, began or completed more than thirty works, including the operas Rusalka and Čert a Káča, the oratorio Svatá Ludmila and the Requiem.

In 1905 the château was acquired by the Silberstein family, most of whose members were persecuted by the Nazis during the Second World War and murdered. The building fell into disrepair and faced the threat of demolition. After repairs, the first exhibition of the Antonín Dvořák Memorial opened there on 20 July 1963. From 1990 to 1993 the memorial was closed for the reconstruction of the château and its 8 ha park. From May 1994 the exhibition has used all three floors, and since 2001 short-term exhibitions have been held in the cellar spaces in the Galerie Václava Kounice.

Today the visit consists of a guided tour of the historic rooms, the documentary film Dvořák na Vysoké, and a separately accessible part on the first floor with exhibitions and a listening room of Dvořák’s compositions. The memorial also includes a park, the Sládkovna café, a library with a research room, and playful trails in the surroundings.

Highlights

• Guided tour of the historic rooms of the Kounic château
• Documentary film Dvořák na Vysoké
• Listening room of Dvořák’s compositions
• English-style park of 8 ha with ponds
• Educational and children’s trail with the Říše zvuků app
• Library and research room with audiovisual recordings

Permanent exhibition

• Stálá expozice Památníku Antonína Dvořáka – The guided tour of the historic rooms presents the Kounic family and Antonín Dvořák, complemented by the film Dvořák na Vysoké.

Founded

1963

Operated by

Památník Antonína Dvořáka ve Vysoké u Příbramě, příspěvková organizace

Director

Vojtěch Poláček

Admission & discounts

Children under 6, members of ICOM and AMG and accompanying teachers enter free. The memorial takes part in the Návštěvnická karta (Visitor Card) for the Berounsko and Brdy and Podbrdsko tourist areas. A guided tour of the memorial and its surroundings in English or German costs CZK 120 per person. Extended tours are available for booked groups: a walk around Vysoká and its surroundings (120 minutes, CZK 150 per person, minimum CZK 2,000) and a VIP tour with the director (180 minutes, CZK 300 per person, minimum CZK 4,000). These must be booked at least 14 days in advance.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

For children there is the playful trail Křížem krážem zámeckým parkem (a game card is bought at the ticket desk or in the café), a 1.5 km children’s trail and the Říše zvuků app. Worksheets for different age groups are also available for the visit. The family admission costs CZK 250.

Getting there & parking

The memorial is about 60 km south of Prague (direction Příbram – Rožmitál pod Třemšínem). From Prague, take the D4 motorway to the Příbram exit, then continue via Sedlčany towards Rožmitál.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Sládkovna café by the main gate is open daily during the summer holidays, at weekends in June and September, and otherwise only during large events. Souvenirs on the theme of Antonín Dvořák are sold at the memorial’s ticket desk.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 40 guests.

Wedding ceremonies take place in the Kounic Hall (40 people) or on the lawn in the park (40 seats); the price is CZK 5,400. Other events can also be held, for example birthday parties or meetings.

Plan your visit