Západočeská galerie v Plzni

About the museum

The Krajská galerie (Regional Gallery) in Plzeň was established by a decision of the council of the Regional National Committee in 1953 and began its activities on 1 January 1954; it has carried its present name since 1960. Since 2001 it has been a contributory organisation of the Plzeň Region. The core of the collection was the holdings of the former arts and crafts department of the West Bohemian Museum, built up from 1878. The gallery used the museum’s premises until 1985 and then, after the museum’s reconstruction, had to find its own.

The exhibition hall Masné krámy is housed in an originally medieval market hall and has been used for exhibitions since 1972. The gallery later also acquired a house in Pražská 13 with the intimate exhibition space “13”. The collections comprise more than 13,000 works from the 14th century to the present, with particular strengths in 19th-century art, art from the turn of the century and Czech modernism, especially the collection of Cubism. The gallery itself points out that it currently has no permanent display of its collections and presents short-term exhibition projects in its halls.

In 2022 the Semler Residence opened on Klatovská třída. This unusual multi-storey flat of the Oskar Semler family, dating from 1931–1934 and furnished in the spirit of the Raumplan of Adolf Loos and his collaborator Heinrich Kulka, was originally an office house of the Škoda Works. It is part of the Adolf Loos Plzeň tour routes, houses a visitor centre, a studio for children and an architecture collection, and hosts lectures and exhibitions.

Highlights

• Masné krámy exhibition hall in a medieval market hall near Náměstí Republiky
• Collection of Czech Cubism and Czech interwar modernism
• Semler Residence – a flat with an interior in the spirit of Adolf Loos and Heinrich Kulka
• Cabinet of Plzeň Architecture 1874–1939 in the Semler Residence
• Collection of more than 13,000 works from the 14th century to the present
• Café Semler in the Semler Residence

Permanent exhibition

• Prohlídkový okruh Semlerovou rezidencí – The guided tour covers up to 15 rooms of the historic flat of the Oskar Semler family, from the cloakroom and vestibule through the living hall and dining rooms to the private rooms and kitchen. The extended route adds the Cabinet of Plzeň Architecture 1874–1939.

Founded

1954

Operated by

Plzeňský kraj (příspěvková organizace)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Entry to the exhibition halls is free on the first Sunday of every month.

Prices in the halls apply to exhibitions; some exhibitions are free. Children under 6, holders of a ZTP/P card, and members of ICOM, AMG, UHS, InSEA and the Council of Galleries of the Czech Republic, war veterans, journalists and holders of a Charles University card also enter free. Group tours of the Semler Residence for up to 10 people cost CZK 2,800 (basic route) or CZK 3,100 (extended route).

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

Both exhibition buildings have step-free access; hall “13” only to part of the exhibition. The gallery recommends announcing your visit in advance. The tour route through the Semler Residence is not step-free; only the information centre is accessible.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The gallery runs workshops for parents and children and school activities; from September an art club for children aged 7–15 meets in the Semler Residence. Tours of the Semler Residence are not suitable for children under 10.

Getting there & parking

The exhibition halls are near Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) with the Cathedral of St Bartholomew; the Semler Residence is at Klatovská třída 110.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café Semler is in the Semler Residence; visitors on a tour receive a 10% discount on coffee drinks and cakes on the day of the tour.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

For hire are the Masné krámy exhibition hall (80–100 places, concert grand piano), a lecture hall (50 places), the cellar at Pražská 13 (30 places) and the social hall of the Semler Residence (80 places), with an educational area for 10–15 people.

Plan your visit