Africké muzeum Dr. Emila Holuba

The African Museum of Dr. Emil Holub in Holice is a small but richly told museum dedicated to the town's most famous native son — the African explorer, naturalist and physician Emil Holub. In a quiet provincial town in the Pardubice Region, it tells the story of 19th-century expeditions into Southern Africa in a way that keeps both children and adults engaged.

Who was Emil Holub, and why does he have a museum here?

Emil Holub was born in Holice and, in the second half of the 19th century, undertook several research expeditions to Southern Africa, where he collected natural history specimens and ethnographic objects and carried out scientific observations. After his death in 1902, the idea of honoring him with a memorial in his home town took hold — though it took decades to materialize. The first memorial room was set up only in 1956, inside the local Catholic rectory. The actual museum, then known simply as the Memorial to Dr. Emil Holub, welcomed its first visitors on April 30, 1966. The site in its current form opened after a thorough reconstruction in 2012, rebranded as the African Museum of Dr. Emil Holub.

What will you see inside?

A visit opens with a roughly ten-minute film introducing Holub's life and travels — a useful starting point if you've never heard of him before. From there, the tour continues through the explorer's study, filled with his personal belongings, medals and trophies brought back from Africa. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a working model of Victoria Falls, one of the landmarks Holub described in his accounts, paired with an outdoor African village featuring an audiovisual projection that recreates the atmosphere of the savanna. The exhibits also include specimens of African wildlife, giving the museum both a historical and a natural-history dimension.

How do you get there?

Holice lies in the Pardubice Region, close to the city of Pardubice, so the easiest way to arrive is by car or by bus from the regional capital. The museum occupies a single-story building in the town center, meaning there are no stairs to navigate — it's fully accessible for wheelchair users and families with strollers.

How much time should you set aside?

A full visit, including the introductory film, takes about an hour. That's enough time to see every room at a relaxed pace without wearing out younger visitors. It's worth combining the museum with a walk around Holice itself, since the town has several other sites connected to Holub, including themed walking and cycling routes tracing his life.

When is the best time to visit?

The museum operates seasonally, so it's worth checking current opening hours on its website or social media before setting out — outside the main tourist season there can be closed days or reduced hours. Spring and summer are also the best time to combine the visit with the nearby cycling and hiking trails dedicated to Holub's legacy.

Who is this museum for?

The African Museum works well as a family day-trip destination, as a stop on a wider tour of the Pardubice Region, and as a must-see for anyone interested in the history of exploration and geographic discovery. Its compact scale means it doesn't demand a full day — it fits comfortably into an itinerary alongside other regional attractions.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a visit take? A complete visit, including the introductory film about Emil Holub's life, takes around 60 minutes.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible? Yes, the exhibition is housed in a single-story building and is fully accessible for visitors with limited mobility and for families with strollers.

What is the highlight of the exhibition? The working model of Victoria Falls and the outdoor African village with its audiovisual projection, alongside the study containing Holub's personal belongings.

Do I need to know anything about Emil Holub beforehand? No — the visit begins with a short film that introduces his life and travels, so no prior knowledge is required.