Vlastivědné muzeum Dr. Hostaše v Klatovech

About the museum

The Klatovy museum was founded in 1882, when the town bought the collection of antiquities and curiosities of the miller and groats-maker František Jung for 500 guldens. The first curator was the later mayor JUDr. Karel Hostaš, after whom the museum is now named. The collections grew rapidly through gifts from townspeople and natives, and the museum carried out archaeological excavations of burial mounds and organised exhibitions.

It is housed in the Art Nouveau building of the former municipal savings bank, built in 1904–1907 to a design by the Plzeň architect R. Štech. The museum first used one floor of it; after 1936 it occupied the whole building. In the early 1970s it was closed to the public because of its poor technical condition, and after a major reconstruction it was reopened on 19 May 1994. The permanent exhibition History of the Klatovy Region opened in 1996.

Since 2003 the museum has been founded by the Plzeň Region, and it has carried its present name since the same year. The organisation also includes the Folk Architecture Exhibition in Chanovice and the Baroque pharmacy U Bílého jednorožce (At the White Unicorn) on the Klatovy square. From 2017 the museum prepared a completely new permanent exhibition in the main building, financed through the IROP programme. Today it also offers short-term exhibitions, lectures, educational programmes, and a library and archive for researchers.

Highlights

• Art Nouveau building of the former municipal savings bank, 1904–1907
• Newly prepared permanent exhibition on the history of the Klatovy region and the Pošumaví
• Archaeological, ethnographic and art-historical collections
• Thematic exhibitions from the museum's collections
• Combined ticket with the Baroque pharmacy U Bílého jednorožce
• Educational programmes and International Archaeology Day

Permanent exhibition

• Stálá expozice hlavní budovy – The newly prepared exhibition presents the history of the Klatovy region and life in the Pošumaví; it uses modern presentation elements, such as an audiovisual system and a mobile app.

Founded

1882

Operated by

Vlastivědné muzeum Dr. Hostaše v Klatovech, příspěvková organizace (zřizovatel Plzeňský kraj)

Director

Mgr. Jiří Bouda

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Day of the Regions (28 October) the single price of CZK 28 applies to the museum's exhibitions and displays, and to the Baroque pharmacy.

The single admission price applies to the entire museum building (exhibitions and displays). With the Šumava CARD there is a 25% discount on admission. Payment by card is possible. For collectors the museum offers tourist visit card no. 2691 (CZK 12) and the Tourist Diary (CZK 50).

Accessibility

• Partially 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

The museum states that the building has a step-free entrance; further details on the accessibility of the exhibitions are not given.

Kids & families

A family ticket for CZK 250 is available, and a child under 3 enters free within it. The museum also holds programmes for children, such as Day for Little and Big Archaeologists.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

On sale are publications, catalogues, postcards, seals, tourist souvenirs and tourist stamps.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The lecture hall, with a large-screen video, serves for lectures, seminars and composed programmes, and occasionally for family and social gatherings and festive occasions.

Plan your visit