Dům historie Přešticka

Dům historie Přešticka (House of Přeštice History) is the municipal museum of Přeštice, a small town in the Plzeň-jih district of western Bohemia. Housed in a restored building on Třebízského street, it tells the everyday story of local trade and craft in the region around the turn of the 20th century — a slice of small-town Czech life that rarely makes it into bigger national museums.

What is on display?

The permanent collection is spread over two floors, each with its own focus.

The ground floor recreates commerce in early 20th-century Přeštice. It holds original shop fittings, dozens of period advertisements, and other trade memorabilia collected from the town. The centerpiece is a reconstructed general store once run by merchant Karel Fodermajer, rebuilt with its counter, shelving and period packaging so visitors can see exactly what a Přeštice shop looked like a hundred years ago.

Upstairs, the exhibition shifts to craft. Rather than one large hall, the floor is arranged as a series of individual workshop set-ups, each one recreating the trade of a different local craftsman — tailoring, shoemaking, joinery and similar trades represented through tools and equipment. Most of the objects on display were donated by residents of the region, which gives the collection a distinctly personal, community-built character rather than a formal institutional one.

Where did the museum come from?

The museum opened in 2000. The building at Třebízského 24 that now houses it was completely reconstructed between 1998 and 2000 specifically to serve as a museum space. Its core holdings are gifts from local families, built up over the years rather than assembled through acquisitions — which is part of why the exhibits feel so grounded in the town itself.

Beyond the permanent displays, the museum stays active: it puts on eight themed temporary exhibitions every year, so the offering changes regularly and repeat visits tend to show something new.

How do you get there?

The museum sits in the center of Přeštice, at Třebízského 24. Přeštice itself lies in the Plzeň-jih district, a short distance south of Plzeň, making it an easy day-trip destination from the city or a convenient stop while touring western Bohemia. The town center, including the museum, is compact enough to explore entirely on foot, with most of the local sights clustered close to the main square.

When should you visit?

As a small regional museum, opening hours can be limited outside peak season, so it is worth checking the current schedule before setting out. Because the temporary exhibitions change regularly through the year, travelers with a particular interest may want to time their visit around whichever themed show is currently running.

Who is it for?

The museum suits travelers interested in local history, traditional crafts and small-town commerce, as well as anyone looking for an authentic, unpolished view of provincial Czech life a century ago. It also works well for families — the reconstructed shop and workshops are tangible and easy to picture, a livelier alternative to reading text panels behind glass.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Dům historie Přešticka located? At Třebízského 24 in the center of Přeštice, in the Plzeň-jih district of western Bohemia.

What does the main exhibition cover? Trade and craft in Přeštice around the turn of the 20th century — a reconstructed general store on the ground floor and craftsmen's workshops on the first floor.

Does the museum host temporary exhibitions? Yes, it runs eight themed temporary exhibitions each year in addition to its permanent collection.

When was the museum established? Dům historie Přešticka opened in 2000, after the historic building was reconstructed between 1998 and 2000.