Museum of Viticulture, Horticulture and Landscaping

The Museum of Viticulture, Horticulture and Landscaping sits right on the main square of Valtice, in the heart of South Moravia's wine country. Run as a branch of the National Agricultural Museum, it tells the story of winegrowing, gardening and landscape design across the Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site that stretches between the two towns.

What's the building's story?

The museum occupies a historic house on Náměstí Svobody that, from the second half of the 17th century, served as the administrative seat for the Liechtenstein family's castle estates. The Liechtensteins were the dominant landowners around Valtice and Lednice for centuries, and it was from this very building that their vineyards, orchards and gardens were once managed. The structure was rebuilt at the end of the 19th century, giving it the appearance visitors see today — a fitting home for a museum dedicated to the agricultural heritage of the region.

What will you actually see inside?

The permanent collection is built around three exhibitions. The first traces the history of winegrowing through historic presses and tools, including a wine press dated to 1719 — one of the oldest pieces of its kind on display in the region. The second exhibition follows the development of fruit growing and market gardening, pairing old garden implements with wax (paraffin) models of fruit and vegetables that show how cultivated varieties changed over the decades. The third section is aimed squarely at families: it introduces the flora and fauna of the Lednice–Valtice landscape in an accessible way, covering the forests, ponds and avenues that make up the wider park.

When is the best time to visit?

The museum follows the seasonal calendar of a wine region. Spring and summer bring exhibitions of annual flowers, while autumn is reserved for the traditional grape harvest festival and a pumpkin festival that draws families and local-food fans alike. Autumn is also the natural time to pair a museum visit with tasting young wine in one of Valtice's many cellars, or with a walk through the surrounding vineyards. Outside the festival season, the permanent exhibitions remain open for most of the year, so the museum works well even as a shorter, single-day stop.

How do you get there?

The museum stands right in the center of Valtice, a few minutes' walk from Valtice Castle, making it easy to combine with a broader look at the town. Valtice connects to nearby Lednice via a famous tree-lined avenue dotted with pavilions and viewpoints, which can be covered on foot, by bike, or by horse-drawn carriage. The nearest larger town is Břeclav, which has bus and train connections to Valtice, while drivers will find parking near the town center.

Frequently asked questions

How much time should I set aside? The permanent exhibition itself takes roughly 45–60 minutes, but it's worth budgeting extra time for a walk around Valtice and the nearby castle to make the most of the trip.

Is it a good visit for kids? Yes — the section on the flora and fauna of the Lednice–Valtice landscape is designed specifically for younger visitors, and the wax fruit and vegetable models tend to catch everyone's attention regardless of age.

Should I combine it with wine tasting? Definitely. Valtice is one of the centers of Moravian winemaking, and the museum's theme pairs naturally with the town's wine cellars and tastings, especially around the autumn grape harvest.

Can I visit both this museum and Lednice Castle in one day? Yes, though it's worth planning for a full day — the distance between Valtice and Lednice takes about 30–40 minutes on foot or by bike along the historic park avenue.