Západočeské muzeum v Plzni

About the museum

The Západočeské muzeum was founded on 8 November 1878 as the Municipal Museum for the city of Plzeň and western Bohemia. Already in 1888 it was divided into the Městské historické muzeum (Municipal Historical Museum) and the Západočeské uměleckoprůmyslové muzeum (West Bohemian Museum of Applied Arts). To a design by the architect Josef Škorpil, construction of a new building in the Kopecký Gardens began at the end of 1896; the shell was finished in 1898 and the interior decoration a year later. The collections moved in in 1901, and the museum opened to visitors in 1913.

In 1948 the Plzeň museums were united under today’s name, and part of the applied arts museum’s collections formed the basis of the Západočeská galerie (West Bohemian Gallery). The main building was closed in 1984 because of its dangerous condition and reopened in 1998 after a complete reconstruction. The museum has since grown to include the Muzeum loutek (Puppet Museum, 2009), the Muzeum církevního umění plzeňské diecéze (Museum of Church Art of the Plzeň Diocese, 2014), and from 2015 the Muzeum v Rokycanech and the Vodní hamr Dobřív.

The main building has four permanent exhibitions, two exhibition halls and a library. The Plzeňská městská zbrojnice (Plzeň Municipal Armoury) is the largest preserved historical armoury in the Czech Republic and goes back to its founding by Charles IV in 1363. Further exhibitions map prehistoric settlement and the history of western Bohemia up to the mid-19th century, and present applied art collections, including the work of Ladislav Sutnar. The interior with rich stucco decoration by Celda Klouček and the relief “Dívčí válka” (The Girls’ War) by Vojtěch Šaff are among the most beautiful landmarks of Plzeň’s historic centre. The museum as a whole looks after around two million collection items.

Highlights

• Plzeňská městská zbrojnice, the largest preserved historical armoury in the Czech Republic
• panoramic painting “Dobytí Plzně Arnoštem Mansfeldem 1618” and remains of the original town walls
• archaeological exhibition with a bronze shield from Plzeň-Jíkalka and gold finds from burial mounds
• collections of glass, porcelain and clocks, and work by Ladislav Sutnar, in the exhibition Umělecké řemeslo / Užité umění (Decorative Arts / Applied Art)
• Neo-Renaissance building by Josef Škorpil, with a stucco staircase and the relief “Dívčí válka”
• working exhibit: Křižík’s lamp

Permanent exhibitions

• Plzeňská městská zbrojnice – The largest preserved historical armoury in the Czech Republic, founded in 1363. It displays firearms and armour from the late 14th to the mid-17th century, a collection of Gothic hakovnice (early hand cannons), stone portals and part of the town walls with a panoramic painting of the 1618 capture of Plzeň.
• Pohledy do minulosti Plzeňského kraje – Historie – The exhibition traces the history of western Bohemia from the 10th to the mid-19th century, from old Plzeň through the Hussite Wars and the Thirty Years’ War to the revolution of 1848. It is complemented by touch panels and a coin cabinet.
• Umělecké řemeslo / Užité umění – Large collections of glass, ceramics, porcelain, metal objects, clocks and sacred art, a selection of ancient and Eastern art, and a separate section on Ladislav Sutnar. The objects are displayed in the manner of the early 20th century.

Founded

1878

Operated by

Plzeňský kraj (příspěvková organizace)

Director

Mgr. Jiří Orna

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Holders of a War Veteran Card enter the main building free on 11 November (Veterans’ Day); the benefit is valid until 2031.

The price for each of the permanent exhibitions is the same (armoury, archaeology and history, applied arts). Admission to temporary exhibitions is stated for each show in the events calendar. The Museum Pass allows 8 entries to any permanent exhibition or show of the museum at a reduced rate and is valid for one year. Holders of AMG, ICOM, ICOMOS and ZMS cards also enter free. Visitors to the Centrum stavitelského dědictví Plasy (Plasy Centre for Building Heritage) receive a 20% discount on one exhibition or show.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

For visitors with disabilities the building has a lift, platform lifts and ramps. The lecture hall can be reached without steps only through the back door.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

The museum organises creative workshops, educational programmes for schools and the public, and a holiday camp. In the archaeology exhibition visitors can try weaving on a vertical loom and grinding grain. Entry with pushchairs into the exhibition rooms is not allowed; pushchairs are left in the cloakroom.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

At reception there is a museum shop and a café with a self-service coffee machine; publications and small souvenirs are also sold in the cloakroom. The website mentions Wi-Fi only for the rented lecture hall.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 108 guests.

The lecture hall on the 1st floor (78 + 30 seats, Petrof concert grand piano, Wi-Fi) is rented all year round except during the summer holidays. Premises are not provided to political parties or churches. Wedding ceremonies in the museum building are arranged with the external relations department.

Plan your visit