Wonder how this Baroque chateau became home to one of the youngest museums in the Central Bohemian Region? It’s the Central Bohemian Museum in Roztoky. This museum sits in the Roztoky u Prahy chateau. The chateau started as a water fortress around the 13th century.
In the 1970s, the Central Bohemian Museum expanded. It acquired the Brauner Mill premises. Later, in the 1990s, it included a former farmhouse in Libčice nad Vltavou. This farmhouse became another museum site.
Inside, you will find diverse collections. They include archaeology, natural science, history, art history, and ethnography. These collections showcase the Central Bohemia region and beyond.
One of the most captivating exhibitions recreates Zdenka Braunerová’s studio. Braunerová was a painter born in 1858 and passed away in 1934. Most items come from her estate. This includes stylish furniture and folk art. The Central Bohemian Museum recreated the unique atmosphere of her original studio. Braunerová designed it at the beginning of the 20th century.
Another Central Bohemian Museum exhibition presents local history. It also covers the Roztoky chateau’s past. See the presbytery of St. Jošt’s chapel from the 14th century. Admire the Renaissance hall with a painted beamed ceiling. Step into a Biedermeier-style salon. It features period furniture from the 1930s to 1950s.
The Central Bohemian Museum manages extensive collections. They demonstrate the Central Bohemian region’s development. This covers from prehistory to the recent past. Archaeological finds are numerous. They come from Prague’s surroundings and the former Prague-West district.
The Central Bohemian Museum also serves as a conservation facility. It uses state-of-the-art technologies. This benefits both public and private entities.
Explore two permanent exhibitions inside the castle. One focuses on estate management during the Liechtenstein era. The other shows life in summer residences. This is from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.
Don’t miss the exhibition at Brauner Mill. It is dedicated to Zdenka Braunerová. It displays her work and connection to Roztoky. The Central Bohemian Museum hosts cultural events. It also provides educational programs and wedding ceremonies. All this takes place in historically rich spaces.
Since 2022, the Archevita exhibition resides in the former barn next to the castle. This exhibit spans from prehistory to the early Middle Ages. It features 1:1 scale replicas of prehistoric dwellings. You can see many archaeological finds. Computer perspectives and holographic projections enhance the experience. Younger visitors enjoy playful and educational information kiosks.
Before you leave the Central Bohemian Museum, take a moment. Imagine the people who lived and worked here. Think of the artists inspired by this place. Remember the stories these walls hold.