Muzeum Metylovice - Kožane město

The Leather City Museum in Metylovice (Muzeum Kožané město) is a small but distinctive museum in the village of Metylovice, tucked below the Beskids in the Moravian-Silesian Region of Czechia, telling the story of a centuries-old leather craft tradition.

Why is it called the "Leather City"?

Metylovice made its living from leatherworking for centuries, from the 17th century right up until the mid-20th century, with generations of local saddlers and harness-makers plying their trade. The real turning point came in the second half of the 19th century, when the village began mass-producing high-quality whips that were shipped through an extensive distribution network across Europe and even overseas. Neighboring villages jokingly nicknamed Metylovice "Horse Heaven," poking fun at the sheer scale of harness and whip production going on there. The local saddlers, however, had bigger ambitions than a jokey nickname — they wanted their village recognized for the prestige of its craft, and that ambition is exactly what gave the museum its name today.

What's inside the museum?

The museum occupies a former saddlery workshop, which gives the whole exhibition an authentic, hands-on feel rather than a sterile gallery atmosphere. The exhibition was developed in cooperation with the Museum of Novojičín and the Institute of European Ethnology at Masaryk University in Brno, so the material rests on solid historical and ethnographic research rather than local folklore alone. Displays walk visitors step by step through a saddler's work — from raw hide processing, through stitching and finishing belts and whips, to the finished goods that once traveled to customers across Europe. Period photographs and a short documentary film round out the picture of production methods and everyday life in this craft-driven village. The museum also houses a gallery devoted to the history of Metylovice and the wider region, plus a space showcasing work by local artists, so a visit blends industrial history with a slice of local culture.

How do you get there?

Metylovice lies in the Frýdek-Místek District of the Moravian-Silesian Region, right at the foot of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids. It makes a convenient stop for anyone exploring the area around Frýdek-Místek or Frenštát pod Radhoštěm, and for hikers approaching the Beskids from the Czech side. The village itself has a typical foothill character, so it's worth pairing the museum visit with a walk through the surrounding countryside.

When is the best time to visit?

The museum opened on August 7, 2010, and has served as a fixed regional attraction ever since. It fits naturally into a day trip combining several smaller sights of the Moravian-Silesian Region — plan enough time not just for the exhibition itself, but also for a relaxed stroll around a village that spent centuries living off the leather trade.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Leather City Museum in Metylovice open? The museum opened on August 7, 2010, in the building of a former saddlery workshop.

Why was Metylovice nicknamed "Horse Heaven"? Because of the enormous scale of harness and whip production in the village — neighboring communities coined the nickname as a joke, though local saddlers preferred the term "Leather City," which highlighted the prestige of their craft.

What exactly was produced in Metylovice? Leather goods from the 17th century onward, and from the second half of the 19th century mainly high-quality whips, exported through an extensive distribution network across Europe and overseas.

Who helped put the exhibition together? The exhibition was prepared in cooperation with the Museum of Novojičín and the Institute of European Ethnology at Masaryk University in Brno, giving it solid historical and ethnographic grounding.