Centrum Bohuslava Martinů

Centrum Bohuslava Martinů is one of three sections of the City Museum and Gallery in Polička, dedicated to the town's most famous native son, composer Bohuslav Martinů. It occupies the historic museum building at the corner of Tylova and Šaffova streets, right next to Palacký Square, in the heart of Polička's old town.

How do you get there?

Polička sits in the Pardubice Region, close to the border with the Vysočina Region, and is best reached by car or by train via Pardubice or nearby Litomyšl, both a short ride away. The museum itself stands inside the historic town centre, only a few minutes' walk from the main square and the preserved town walls, so once you've parked in one of the central car parks the rest of the trip is on foot. The building is easy to spot: it's a former boys' school, the very one young Martinů once attended.

What will you see inside?

The centrepiece is a permanent exhibition on the composer's life and work titled "The Colourful World of Bohuslav Martinů." It brings together mementoes, documents and personal items connected to the artist, who spent his childhood in the tower of St James's Church in Polička, where his father worked as the church watchman. A separate highlight is the reconstructed historical schoolroom where the young Martinů studied, giving visitors a feel for what education looked like around the turn of the 20th century.

The building itself was donated to the Palacký Museum Society in 1934, having previously served as the town's school. Alongside the Martinů exhibition, the same museum complex houses displays on the history of Polička and its surroundings and on glassmaking in the Horácko region, plus an audiovisual hall showing themed films. For anyone with a deeper interest in musicology, the centre also runs an archive and research facility where original manuscripts and scores by Bohuslav Martinů can be studied.

Who is this attraction for?

The centre appeals mainly to classical music enthusiasts and anyone curious about local history, but it also suits families looking for a calm, small-scale museum without crowds. No prior knowledge of Martinů's music is needed — the exhibition walks visitors through his biography step by step, from his childhood in the church tower, through his schooling in this very building, to his later international career. It also makes a natural stop for anyone exploring Polička's well-preserved town walls and market square.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer are the most rewarding seasons, since a visit can easily be combined with a walk along Polička's historic town walls and through the old town. It's worth checking the current opening hours before setting off, as this is a regional museum and, like many smaller Czech museums, it may keep reduced hours outside the tourist season and typically closes on Mondays.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bohuslav Martinů? He was a Czech composer born in Polička and one of the most significant classical composers of the 20th century, whose childhood was closely tied to this town.

Is the centre a standalone museum or part of something bigger? Centrum Bohuslava Martinů is one of three sections of the City Museum and Gallery in Polička, alongside the local history exhibition and the display on glassmaking in the Horácko region.

Is there anything to see besides the composer exhibition? Yes — the same building also houses an audiovisual hall with films, plus an archive and research centre holding Martinů's manuscripts and original scores, available to specialists.

How much time should I set aside for a visit? It's a compact museum, so seeing the composer exhibition and the historical schoolroom typically takes around an hour, depending on your pace.