Košíkářské muzeum

The Basket-Weaving Museum (Košíkářské muzeum) in Morkovice-Slížany celebrates more than two centuries of wickerwork tradition in this corner of Moravia's Kroměříž district.

Where exactly is the museum?

The museum sits at Nádražní 169 in Morkovice-Slížany, a small town in the Zlín Region near Kroměříž. The town bought the building in 2008 and, after a thorough renovation costing 1.1 million Czech crowns, opened the current exhibition on 12 June 2010 — exactly 47 years after the previous basketry display in the town had closed.

Why does a basket museum exist here in the first place?

Morkovice-Slížany was for centuries one of Moravia's leading basket-weaving centres. The craft of working with willow withies developed here without interruption from the 18th century onward, when local basket makers formed their own guild. That generations-long craft tradition is the museum's central theme, and the collection exists specifically to keep it alive as the last master weavers pass on their skills.

What will you actually see inside?

The exhibition fills five rooms and covers an impressively wide range of wicker products. You'll find baskets made for every imaginable purpose, wicker-wrapped demijohns and bottles, woven travel trunks, rocking chairs, suitcases, bags, mats and decorative wickerwork. More unusual pieces include bicycle baskets, transport crates and tiny boxes once used to store sewing supplies. Together the exhibits show just how versatile willow was as a material before plastic and other synthetics took over everyday life.

How do you get there?

Morkovice-Slížany lies in the Zlín Region, not far from Kroměříž. The easiest way in is by car or regional bus; the museum itself stands on Nádražní street, close to the local railway station, which makes it easy to reach for visitors arriving by train too. The building is wheelchair accessible.

When should you visit, and what does it cost?

The museum operates seasonally, from April to October, and is closed on Mondays. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays it's open 13:00–15:00, weekends 13:00–16:00, while Wednesday visits require booking ahead. If no guide happens to be on site — which can occur between 10:00 and 12:00 on weekdays — a quick phone call brings one over, usually within about ten minutes. Keep in mind that part of the outdoor display is closed from November through March, so the full experience is really a warm-season one.

Admission is modest: adults pay 30 CZK, a family ticket (two adults plus up to four children) is 90 CZK, and seniors and visitors with disabilities pay 25 CZK.

How long should you plan for a visit?

Given the compact size of the five exhibition rooms, most visitors need only 30 to 45 minutes. That makes it an easy add-on to a day exploring the Kroměříž region, and it pairs naturally with other sights around Morkovice-Slížany.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book in advance? Not usually — you can simply show up during opening hours most days. Booking is only required for Wednesday visits, and it's a safe bet whenever you want to be certain a guide will be present.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible? Yes, the building is adapted for visitors with reduced mobility.

Is the museum open year-round? No — the visiting season runs from April to October, and the outdoor part of the exhibition is closed between November and March.

What's the highlight of the collection? The sheer variety of willow wickerwork on display — from everyday baskets to wrapped demijohns, rocking chairs and travel trunks — which together show how versatile this traditional craft once was.