Dům umění

Dům umění (House of Art) is one of Znojmo's most rewarding gallery stops, tucked inside the Renaissance-era Slavík Palace right on the town's main square. Run today by the South Moravian Museum, it pairs a genuinely handsome historic building with a lively rotation of art exhibitions.

Where is it and what makes the building special?

The palace sits at the heart of Znojmo's old town, on Masarykovo náměstí, the town's central square. It's regarded as one of the finest Renaissance residences in the wider region, having taken its present form during a mid-16th-century rebuild that added the arcaded courtyard now considered the building's centerpiece. The wine cellars expanded during the same renovation hint at the house's earlier life: its first recorded owner, back in the 14th century, was a burgher and brewer named Šimon who ran a profitable brewery on the premises.

The conversion of the palace into an exhibition space took decades to complete, with renovation work for the town gallery running until 1967. Since then, the building has functioned continuously as an art gallery for the city.

What will you actually see inside?

The collection spans several floors and mixes historic and contemporary work. The upper floor holds the permanent exhibition "Old Art of the Znojmo Region," covering Gothic and Baroque sculpture and painting from the area, alongside a numismatic display of coins from the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and a collection tied to medalist Jan Tomáš Fischer.

The first floor is largely given over to temporary exhibitions, with a strong emphasis on contemporary painting, graphic art, and photography from both local and visiting artists — so the program changes noticeably between visits. The ground floor has a multipurpose hall used for occasional exhibitions, lectures, and conferences. In the entrance hall, known locally as the mázhaus, there's a small shop selling museum publications and souvenirs plus a modest café, a handy spot to pause between rooms.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to visit?

Dům umění sits just steps from Znojmo's main square, so walking is by far the easiest way to reach it — it fits naturally into a stroll through the old town past the town hall and the other historic landmarks nearby. It pairs well with a visit to Znojmo's underground passages or the town castle, since everything sits within a few hundred meters of each other.

Because the first-floor program rotates, it's worth checking what's currently on display before you go, especially if a specific exhibition drew you here — some shows run for only a few weeks. Spring and summer bring Znojmo's busiest festival season, which makes a gallery stop a natural way to fill an afternoon between outdoor events.

Who is this gallery good for?

Dům umění works equally well for art history enthusiasts and for casual visitors who just want to step inside a beautiful Renaissance palace. The arcaded courtyard alone is worth the visit and photogenic regardless of whether the current temporary exhibition happens to match your taste.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is Dům umění in Znojmo? It's an art gallery housed in the historic Slavík Palace, run by the South Moravian Museum, combining permanent collections of older art with rotating contemporary exhibitions.

Where exactly is it located? At Masarykovo náměstí 11, right in the historic center of Znojmo, close to the town's other major landmarks.

Is there anything worth seeing beyond the exhibitions themselves? Yes — the mid-16th-century arcaded Renaissance courtyard and the building's old wine cellars are both integral parts of the palace's architecture.

Is there somewhere to get a coffee? Yes, the entrance hall (mázhaus) has a small café next to the museum shop selling publications and souvenirs.