Werichova vila

About the museum

The house on Kampa island has more than 450 years of history. The first mention of the building dates from 1580; from the 17th century a tannery was run here by Servác Engel, and from 1725 the plot belonged to the Nostitz family, who abolished the tannery and used the building as a garden house. In 1797 the architect Ignác Palliardi remodelled it into its present Classicist form, and the Nostitz tutor Josef Dobrovský moved in, after whom the house was long called Dobrovský's Little House.

After 1918 the building passed to the municipality of Prague, was divided into flats and used for municipal housing until the flood of 2002, which also flooded the first floor. Among the villa's residents were the poet Vladimír Holan and later the actor and writer Jan Werich, after whom the building is now called Werich Villa.

In 2015 the Museum Kampa – Jan and Meda Mládek Foundation leased the villa, and after reconstruction a permanent exhibition was created in it. It is devoted to the legacy of Jan Werich, Jiří Voskovec and the Liberated Theatre, as well as to film work and fairy tales for children. The visit includes basement rooms on the theme of the Golem, the Holanerium dedicated to the poet, a garden on the bank of the Čertovka and an attic hall for cultural programmes.

Highlights

• Interactive exhibition on Jan Werich, Jiří Voskovec and the Liberated Theatre
• Faithful reconstruction of two rooms of Werich's flat
• Basement exhibition on the Golem and the development of Kampa island
• Holanerium dedicated to the poet Vladimír Holan
• Garden on the bank of the Čertovka and a café on the ground floor

Permanent exhibitions

• Stálá expozice Werichovy vily – The interactive exhibition on the first floor presents the legacy of Jan Werich, Jiří Voskovec and the Liberated Theatre, including a reconstruction of two rooms of Werich's flat.
• Sklepní expozice a Golem – In three basement rooms there is the development of Kampa island, the history of the villa and the theme of the Golem, which children can explore by modelling with clay.

Operated by

Museum Kampa – Nadace Jana a Medy Mládkových

Admission & discounts

Free admission also applies to members of AMG, UHS and ICOM/ICOMOS. A guided tour in Czech costs CZK 1,000 on weekdays and CZK 1,200 at weekends; a tour in a foreign language costs CZK 1,200 on weekdays and CZK 1,400 at weekends. These prices are always in addition to admission.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

In the basement exhibition children can make their own Golem from modelling clay; workshops, puppet shows and a family ticket are available for children.

Getting there & parking

The villa stands on Kampa island by Kampa Park, near Charles Bridge.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

On the ground floor there is the IF Chocolate café (daily 8:00–20:00) and a museum shop with souvenirs, tourist stamps and gift vouchers. The site includes a garden on the bank of the Čertovka.

Events & venue rental

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

The villa with the exhibition, the attic hall and the enclosed garden can be hired for receptions, weddings, book launches, press conferences and corporate events; the villa does not provide catering.

Plan your visit