Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region

GASK — the Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region occupies the former Jesuit College in Kutná Hora, a stone's throw from St. Barbara's Cathedral. It ranks among the largest institutions for modern and contemporary art in the Czech Republic, pairing its collection with a striking early-Baroque setting.

Where did the gallery come from?

The institution was founded in 1963 as the Central Bohemian Gallery. After operating from several locations, it took over the former Jesuit College building in Kutná Hora in 1998 — a structure that had previously served other purposes, including as barracks. Following the move, the gallery adopted its current name, Galerie Středočeského kraje, shortened to GASK. The college building itself is an early-Baroque structure with clear Italian influences, now listed as a national cultural monument.

What will you see inside?

GASK's holdings run to nearly 10,000 items: paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, photographs and works in new media. The backbone of the permanent display is an exhibition titled "Labyrinth," which walks visitors through a cross-section of the collection, from older works to contemporary art. Alongside this permanent show, the gallery regularly mounts temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, both Czech and international. The building's interiors are worth attention in their own right — the austere, vaulted monastic halls sit in deliberate contrast with minimalist exhibition design, making the architecture part of the visit itself.

How do you get there?

Kutná Hora sits roughly an hour from Prague by train or car, which makes it a natural day-trip destination. The former Jesuit College stands in the town's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, right next to St. Barbara's Cathedral — one of the country's most important Gothic churches. From the train station, the gallery is reachable on foot or by local bus, and most visitors combine a GASK visit with a walk through the old town and a look inside the cathedral.

When should you visit?

The gallery is open year-round, with temporary exhibitions rotating several times a season, so it's worth checking the current program before you go. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable times to explore Kutná Hora without the crowds that build up in summer, largely thanks to the nearby Sedlec Ossuary's popularity. Budget an hour or two for the gallery itself — longer if you want to spend real time with the contemporary art collection.

Frequently asked questions

How is GASK different from Kutná Hora's other attractions? Unlike the Gothic St. Barbara's Cathedral or the famous Sedlec Ossuary, GASK is a modern and contemporary art institution rather than a historic monument in its own right — it's a gallery operating inside a heritage building.

Is it worth combining with other sights in town? Yes — its location in the historic center makes it easy to pair a gallery visit with a walk through the old town and a stop at St. Barbara's Cathedral, just a few minutes away on foot.

What does the permanent "Labyrinth" exhibition cover? It's a cross-section of the GASK collection spanning painting, sculpture, prints and photography, from historical works through to the most recent art.

Is the building itself of historical value? Yes — the former Jesuit College is an early-Baroque structure with Italian influences, listed as a national cultural monument, which makes a GASK visit a combination of art and architecture.