Velvarská brána

About the museum

Velvarská brána is the only surviving one of Slaný’s four original town gates and one of the few preserved remnants of the town fortifications. The tower is 38 metres high. The town’s fortifications are documented already before the Hussite Wars. The gate was restored during the reign of Jiří z Poděbrad, and the date 1461 above the third window of the tower probably refers to its construction. The late Gothic form from the second half of the 15th century hardly changed in the following centuries.

In the 16th century the gate burned several times and was repaired. In 1795 a bell from 1514, which was rung as an alarm, was moved to it from the burnt-out town hall. During the demolition of the walls in 1823–1824 the outer gate disappeared, and the gate itself was endangered; in 1868 the tower received a new copper rooster, a copy of the original from 1612.

The gate was handed over to the Vlastivědné muzeum ve Slaném (Local History Museum in Slaný) in 1967, and the last repairs took place in 1993–1994. Across four floors there is now a new exhibition on the fortifications and the development of settlement in the town, with a map of the original fortifications and models of the gates. The exhibition offers 3D glasses for trying out the Slaný 1602 mobile app, which uses virtual reality to show the town as it was in 1602.

Highlights

• only surviving one of Slaný’s four town gates, with a tower 38 m high
• exhibition on the town’s fortifications across four floors
• map of the original fortifications and models of the town gates
• 3D glasses and the Slaný 1602 app, with a virtual reconstruction of the town

Permanent exhibition

• Expozice opevnění města Slaného – Permanent exhibition across four floors of the tower, presenting the fortifications and settlement development of the royal town of Slaný, with a map of the original fortifications and models of the gates.

Operated by

Vlastivědné muzeum ve Slaném

Admission & discounts

Each visitor pays CZK 60. Holders of Family and Senior Passes receive a 2+1 ticket free (CZK 120 in total).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

Velvarská brána is not step-free and not accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The gate stands in the lane on the north side of Masarykovo náměstí.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit