Birthplace of brothers Uprka

The Birthplace of the Uprka Brothers stands in the village of Kněždub in Moravian Slovakia, at the foot of the White Carpathians, close to the town of Strážnice. This modest, whitewashed clay cottage is where two brothers were born who went on to shape the cultural image of the region at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries — the painter Joža Úprka (born 1861) and the sculptor František (Franta) Úprka (1868–1929).

Who were the Uprka brothers?

Joža Úprka became known for painting the vivid folk costumes, festivals and everyday scenes of Moravian Slovakia — his canvases of harvest celebrations, weddings and country fairs turned into some of the most recognizable depictions of the region in Czech art. His younger brother František worked in sculpture, creating portraits and monuments rooted in the same folk tradition. Beyond their art, both brothers were active champions of regional culture, working to preserve the costumes, customs and architecture of Moravian Slovakia at a time when the traditional rural world was starting to give way to modern life.

What can you see inside?

The house is a preserved example of the clay-built architecture typical of the region in the 19th century — a low, thatched cottage with white walls, reconstructed according to surviving period photographs and records. Following a thorough restoration, it opened to the public on 9 July 2005. Today it houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to the brothers' work — Joža's paintings, Franta's sculptures and family memorabilia — and its interiors have been arranged to recall the look of the room where the future artists grew up. Visitors can see original furniture, household tools and fittings typical of a Moravian-Slovak cottage of that era.

The building is listed as a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic, underlining its importance not only as a memorial to the two artists but also as preserved evidence of the region's folk architecture.

How to get there?

Kněždub lies in the Hodonín district, right next to Strážnice, a town known among other things for its annual folklore festival. The easiest way to reach the village is by car, or by local bus from Strážnice or Veselí nad Moravou, both of which have regular connections into the heart of Moravian Slovakia. The house itself sits in the centre of the village and is well signposted.

When to visit?

Like most small regional museums of this kind, the birthplace operates on a seasonal schedule, so the safest bet is to plan a visit between spring and autumn, when opening hours are more reliable and the surrounding countryside is at its most attractive. Consider combining the trip with a stop in nearby Strážnice, especially during its folklore festival, when the whole region comes alive with the very traditions the Uprka brothers captured in paint and stone.

Frequently asked questions

Who was born in this house? The painter Joža Úprka and his younger brother, the sculptor František (Franta) Úprka.

What is on display inside? A permanent exhibition on the brothers' artistic work, along with period interiors recreating the home in which they grew up.

When did the house open to visitors? After restoration, it opened to the public on 9 July 2005.

Is it a protected heritage site? Yes, the house is registered as a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic.