Municipal Museum Žamberk

The Municipal Museum of Žamberk is a compact but content-rich institution in the heart of this small town in the Podorlicko area of eastern Czechia. Founded in 1911, it has spent over a century building a collection that tells the story of the town and of the notable people who came from it.

Where is the museum located?

The museum occupies the former Kateřinský Hospital, an Empire-style building erected in 1845 on the initiative of John Parish, owner of the local estate. It was originally built as a shelter for retired employees of his manor, and today its classicist architecture is itself part of the visitor experience.

What can you see inside?

The permanent exhibition centers on the history of the town and its most notable residents. Among them are figures with national significance: Prokop Diviš, one of the pioneers of the lightning rod, Eduard Albert, regarded as a founder of modern surgery, and Petr Eben, an acclaimed classical composer.

A particularly popular part of the collection is the reconstructed neo-Gothic pharmacy of the Erxleben family — a complete set of pharmacy furniture and equipment that gives visitors a sense of how an old-fashioned chemist's shop actually worked. Alongside it stands Jedlička's mechanical nativity scene together with puppet-theatre figures, a moving display that draws particular attention from families with children.

The museum also devotes considerable space to folk and artistic crafts from the Žamberk region. One highlight is a set of furniture with a folding screen decorated with original lithographs by Alphonse Mucha, produced in the workshop of Josef Rouse — a rare pairing of Art Nouveau graphic art with functional furniture-making.

Since 2024 the museum has been developing a new exhibition called "Žamberk Bookbinders and the Codex Gigas," featuring a faithful model of the world's largest manuscript, known as the Devil's Bible — a nod to the town's bookbinding tradition.

How to get to the Municipal Museum of Žamberk?

Žamberk lies in the Pardubice Region, within the Podorlicko area, and is well connected by road and rail to Pardubice and Hradec Králové. The museum sits right in the town center, within walking distance of the main square, making it an easy stop during a short visit to Žamberk.

When is the best time to visit?

The historical exhibition and craft collections are open during the tourist season, and the new bookbinding and Codex Gigas display adds an extra reason to visit for anyone interested in more unusual topics. It's worth combining a visit with exploring the nearby Podorlicko area and the Orlické hory mountains, for which Žamberk serves as a natural base.

Frequently asked questions

How long has the Municipal Museum of Žamberk existed? The museum was founded in 1911 and has continuously built its collection on the town's and region's history ever since.

What is the museum's biggest highlight? Visitors most often single out the reconstructed neo-Gothic Erxleben pharmacy and Jedlička's mechanical nativity scene with its puppet-theatre figures.

Which notable people connected to Žamberk does the exhibition feature? The museum recalls, among others, Prokop Diviš (a lightning rod pioneer), Eduard Albert (a founder of modern surgery), and composer Petr Eben.

What is the Codex Gigas exhibition about? It's a new display, in preparation since 2024, dedicated to Žamberk's bookbinding tradition, featuring a faithful model of the Devil's Bible — the world's largest manuscript.