Auto-moto muzeum V.I.T.V.A.R.

Auto-moto muzeum V.I.T.V.A.R. is a compact but content-rich motoring museum in Nová Paka, a town at the foot of the Krkonoše (Giant) Mountains in northeastern Czechia. The collection is housed inside the Autogalerie V.I.T.V.A.R. complex on Krkonošská street, right at the edge of town where the road heads up into the mountains — a natural stop whether you're driving into the Krkonoše or coming back down.

Where exactly is it?

The museum shares its building with a working Peugeot dealership and service centre, on the road leaving Nová Paka toward the mountains. That's not a coincidence: the building itself carries decades of motoring history, explained in detail below. Because it sits right on the main route out of town, it's an easy add-on stop for anyone already heading toward the Krkonoše.

What will you actually see?

The exhibition covers historic cars and motorcycles spanning from the 1870s all the way to 2005 — more than a century of automotive development under one roof. Alongside the vehicles, there's material on the region's surprisingly deep motorsport tradition, both on two wheels and four.

A large part of the exhibit is dedicated to Antonín Vitvar. From the mid-1930s, this very building housed his motorcycle and automobile shop and workshop. Vitvar was a professional motorcycle and car racer, co-founder of the street race known as the Krakonošův okruh, and a winner of numerous national and international competitions — he's remembered today as one of the legends of Czechoslovak motorcycle sport. The museum gives him his own dedicated section, alongside coverage of two historic regional races: the Krakonošův okruh and the Novopacký okruh, both of which shaped the area's motorsport identity for decades.

Who is this museum for?

It's a natural draw for motoring enthusiasts, but it also works well as a short break on a longer trip into the Krkonoše — you don't need a full day to take it in, yet you walk away with a solid sense of local technical and sporting history. It pairs well with a visit to Nová Paka itself, a town also known for its long tradition of gemstone cutting and craftsmanship.

When should you visit?

Since the museum operates alongside a functioning car dealership, it's worth checking current opening hours directly before your visit, as they can vary by season and day of the week. A practical tip: if you're planning a day trip into the Krkonoše, slot a stop at V.I.T.V.A.R. in at the start or end of the day — its location right on the way out of town makes that easy to arrange.

Frequently asked questions

What can you see at Auto-moto muzeum V.I.T.V.A.R.? A collection of historic cars and motorcycles from 1870 to 2005, plus an exhibition on the region's motorsport history, including the story of racer Antonín Vitvar.

Where exactly is the museum located? On Krkonošská street in Nová Paka, at the edge of town on the road toward the Krkonoše Mountains, inside a building shared with a Peugeot dealership.

Who was Antonín Vitvar? A professional motorcycle and car racer, co-founder of the Krakonošův okruh race, and one of the legends of Czechoslovak motorcycle sport — his former workshop is where the museum now stands.

Is it worth combining with another nearby attraction? Yes — Nová Paka is also known as a centre of gemstone cutting, and the museum's location on the road into the mountains makes it easy to fold into a longer Krkonoše excursion.