Podbrdské muzeum

About the museum

The Podbrdské Museum stands on the site of a mill known as Podbranský, which already existed more than 630 years ago. After a fire in 1912 an engineering works was established here; later, firms making electric motors, metal furniture and agricultural machinery operated on the site. In the post-war years the works produced, among other things, hay tedders, and the complex later belonged to the engineering company Agrostroj. The museum moved into this former factory complex in 2010, using its restored buildings in the historic centre of Rožmitál.

The first attempts at a town museum in Rožmitál date back to the First Republic. The collections were gradually moved between the town hall, the castle tower and a former municipal school, where shortly after 1965 a memorial room to the composer Jakub Jan Ryba was set up. After 1990 the head of the cultural club, Jindřich Hásek, newly arranged the collections. In 2010 Ryba received a more dignified exhibition in the complex on the bank of Kuchynka pond, and the ethnographic collections and the section on ancient history were also considerably expanded.

Today the museum consists of a two-storey main building with the principal exhibition, a neighbouring hall for short-term exhibitions, a display of historic Aero cars, a barn with craft workshops, and a children’s playground with a viewing lighthouse. The town of Rožmitál pod Třemšínem is the museum’s founder.

Highlights

• The exhibition on the Lords of Rožmitál, the family of Queen Johana, with a statue of the Risen Christ
• The exhibition “Jak se žilo na Podbrdsku” (“How People Lived in Podbrdsko”), with a play corner for children
• Memorial to Jakub Jan Ryba and his “České mše vánoční” (“Czech Christmas Mass”)
• The most complete collection of forty Aero cars
• A barn full of crafts: a nail-maker’s “veřtat” (hammer), a carpenter’s workshop and a foundry
• A children’s playground with a viewing lighthouse by Kuchynka pond

Permanent exhibitions

• Expozice pánů z Rožmitála – The exhibition traces the history of the family, whose roots go back to the 12th century, and the fates of its most famous members: Queen Johana, Jaroslav Lev and Zdeněk Lev.
• Jak se žilo na Podbrdsku – The story of the landscape and its people: the nature of the Brdy hills, traditional crafts, everyday life in a Podbrdsko household, and a gallery of personalities. A model of St Vitus Cathedral made from rye straw, at a scale of 1:60, is on display.
• Památník Jakuba Jana Ryby a České mše vánoční – The exhibition introduces the life and work of the cantor and composer Jakub Jan Ryba, his musical and literary output, and the conditions in the schools of his time. Three videos and listening stations with Ryba’s music are available.

Founded

2010

Operated by

Město Rožmitál pod Třemšínem (organizační složka)

Director

Ing. Tereza Henklová Šámalová

Admission & discounts

The basic price of CZK 100 applies to the main exhibition; admission to the gallery is free. Children under 6, holders of ZTP and ZTP-P cards, and AMG members enter all parts of the museum free of charge. Prices valid from January 2025. Holders of the visitor card for Berounsko, Brdy and Podbrdsko receive a 20% discount on the price of the main exhibition, including Aero and the summer interactive exhibition.

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

According to the museum, the whole museum is step-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

In the exhibition “Jak se žilo na Podbrdsku” there is a play corner with wooden blocks, colouring pages and the legend of Třemšín. In the exhibition on the Lords of Rožmitál, children can dress up as princes, princesses or knights. The complex includes a children’s playground on the bank of Kuchynka pond with a viewing lighthouse; a holiday day camp is held there in summer.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the historic centre of Rožmitál pod Třemšínem, in the grounds of the former factory.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Sale of postcards, books, CDs and DVDs, maps and other items.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Wedding ceremony: gallery CZK 3,500, barn CZK 2,500, other rooms CZK 1,500 (plus the registry office fee). Hire of the barn for private, business and corporate events costs CZK 5,900 per day, including VAT.

Plan your visit