Krkonošské muzeum Jilemnice

Krkonošské muzeum Jilemnice (the Krkonoše Museum) is one of the oldest regional museums in Czechia, housed in a historic castle complex in the town of Jilemnice at the foot of the western Giant Mountains (Krkonoše). The museum was founded in 1891 in connection with preparations for the Czechoslavic Ethnographic Exhibition in Prague, largely thanks to the efforts of local school director Jáchym Metelka. Since 1953 it has occupied the former residence of the Harrach noble family — the castle itself, together with an old brewery building and a garden house on the grounds.

What can you see inside?

The permanent collection is split into three distinct exhibitions. The first, historical-ethnographic section covers the history of the western Krkonoše region and the everyday life of its former inhabitants, including the figure of Count Jan Nepomuk Harrach. The second traces the beginnings of Czech skiing up to 1938 — a genuinely unusual focus for a regional museum and one of the few places in the country presenting this chapter of sporting history in such depth. The third exhibition, the Kaván Gallery, showcases works by František Kaván, one of the leading Czech landscape painters at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Among the exhibits, a mechanical nativity scene built between 1883 and 1913 by Jáchym Metelka stands out — it contains 142 moving figures and is fitted with a sound mechanism that brings the whole scene to life. The museum also holds a collection of 33 funeral guild shields from the first half of the 19th century, folk furniture, and traditional Krkonoše nativity scenes. One curiosity worth seeking out is a strip of linen thread from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries: 296 metres long yet weighing only one gram, a testament to the extraordinary skill of local spinners.

How do you get there?

The museum sits right in the centre of Jilemnice, at Zámek 75. The town lies on the main roads leading into the Krkonoše Mountains, making it an easy stop whether you are approaching from Vrchlabí, Trutnov, or Vysoké nad Jizerou. Regional buses also serve Jilemnice, and the castle building is visible directly from the town's main square, so finding it on foot is straightforward.

When should you visit?

It's worth timing a visit to combine the museum with a stroll through Jilemnice's historic centre, or as part of a longer trip into the higher parts of the Krkonoše range. The museum operates on a seasonal schedule, with reduced opening hours outside the summer months, so it's worth checking current hours by phone or on the town's website before setting off. During summer, when the region sees the most visitors, the exhibitions are typically open daily.

Who is this museum for?

The museum appeals to visitors interested in regional history and ethnography as much as to those curious about the history of sport, particularly skiing, which has an unusually long tradition in this part of Czechia. Art lovers, meanwhile, will appreciate the Kaván Gallery devoted to the local landscape painter. Given its compact but varied collection, a visit typically takes between one and one and a half hours.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Krkonoše Museum located? The museum occupies the castle complex at Zámek 75 in Jilemnice, in the western part of the Krkonoše Mountains.

When was the museum founded? It was founded in 1891, and since 1953 it has been based in the former Harrach family castle complex.

What is the highlight of the exhibition? The mechanical nativity scene created by Jáchym Metelka between 1883 and 1913, featuring 142 moving figures animated by a sound-equipped mechanism.

Is there anything here for sports enthusiasts? Yes — a dedicated exhibition covers the early history of Czech skiing up to 1938, making this museum unique among Czechia's regional collections.