Museum of Art and Design in Benešov

The Museum of Art and Design in Benešov is the only museum in the Central Bohemian Region dedicated specifically to design alongside fine art, located right in the town centre on Malé náměstí.

What is the museum's story?

The institution was founded in 1990 and for years operated as the Gallery of Fine Arts, serving as an exhibition hall, an open studio and a "mediatheque." Since 2015 the museum has been run by the town of Benešov, which allowed the collection and exhibition programme to grow significantly. What sets it apart from other regional institutions is that, alongside painting, sculpture, graphic art, photography and drawing, it treats design as a core focus — from everyday objects to industrial projects. The collection now holds more than 13,800 museum items and centres on Czech art from the 20th century to the present.

What will you see in the collection?

Three major holdings form the core of the collection. The first is the legacy of art historian Jiří Šetlík, a leading authority on Czech design and applied art. The second is an extensive collection from painter and graphic artist Zdeněk Kirchner, including both his paintings and graphic works. The third pillar is a collection of Czech and Slovak design — furniture, everyday objects and industrial projects that trace how taste and functional aesthetics shifted over the past century. Permanent displays are complemented by rotating temporary exhibitions, so the museum rewards more than one visit.

How do you get there?

The museum's main building stands at Malé náměstí 74 in Benešov, right in the historic centre — an easy walk from the main square and most of the town's other sights. Benešov itself lies less than 50 km southeast of Prague and is well connected by both train and bus, making the museum a convenient day-trip destination from the capital.

When should you visit, and what else happens here?

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, and closed on Mondays — worth keeping in mind when planning a visit. Beyond its exhibitions, the museum runs an active cultural and educational programme: art workshops for children, adults and seniors, plus lectures, discussions, concerts, film screenings and theatre performances. This makes MUD function not just as a gallery but as a year-round local cultural hub.

Who is this museum for?

The museum suits both design and applied-art enthusiasts and anyone interested in 20th-century Czech painting and graphic art. It's also a good stop for families with children, since its workshops and events offer more than just viewing objects behind glass.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? The main building is at Malé náměstí 74 in the centre of Benešov, in the Central Bohemian Region.

What are the opening hours? The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am–5 pm, and closed on Mondays.

What's the highlight of the collection? Its regionally unique focus on design — furniture, everyday objects and industrial projects — alongside painting and graphic art, including the legacies of Jiří Šetlík and Zdeněk Kirchner.

How do you get there from Prague? Benešov is about 50 km from Prague and well served by train and bus, making the museum easy to combine with a day trip.