Muzeum Nové Strašecí

Muzeum Nové Strašecí is a small but surprisingly rich museum in the town of Nové Strašecí, in the Rakovník district, roughly 40 km west of Prague. It formally operates as a branch of the T. G. Masaryk Museum in Rakovník, yet it has its own long history and one of the more remarkable archaeological collections in the region.

How to get there?

Nové Strašecí sits along the road connecting Prague with Rakovník, so a car journey from the capital takes little more than half an hour. The town also has train and bus connections to both Prague and Rakovník, making it an easy day-trip destination. The museum itself is located on U Školy street, right next to the Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary — a handy landmark when navigating the compact, walkable town centre.

A history dating back to the late 19th century

This is the oldest museum institution in the entire Rakovník district. Its roots go back to 1893, when local enthusiasts formed a committee tasked with establishing a regional museum. By 2024 the institution had marked its 130th anniversary — a rare milestone for such a small place. A turning point came in 1940, when the museum's activities expanded significantly and its collections were moved into a former school building standing beside the church. That building opened to visitors in 1943 and still serves as the museum's main exhibition space today.

What will you see inside?

The visit is built around two permanent exhibitions. The first is dedicated to Celtic settlement in the area around Nové Strašecí and features a replica of one of the most famous Celtic archaeological finds in Central Europe — the so-called Celtic head from the 3rd century BC, unearthed in 1943 in nearby Mšecké Žehrovice. The original piece is held in national collections, but the replica in Nové Strašecí lets visitors examine the details of this exceptional artifact up close.

The second exhibition is ethnographic and interactive in nature, focusing on traditional rural crafts and food processing methods. Visitors can see tools and everyday objects that illustrate how local residents lived over the decades, before industrialisation reshaped the countryside.

Events and educational programmes

The museum runs an active educational programme, offering school lessons, lectures, competitions, and Christmas concerts. The best-known fixture on its calendar is the annual "Day with the Celts," which marks the anniversary of the famous Celtic head discovery. The event blends educational content with historical reenactment and draws both families with children and archaeology enthusiasts.

Who is this place for?

Muzeum Nové Strašecí suits travellers exploring the Czech Republic who appreciate smaller, low-key institutions with a genuine story to tell, away from the crowds of Prague's major museums. It also makes a worthwhile stop for families interested in archaeology and regional history, particularly if a trip through the Rakovník district is already on the itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the museum? It is a compact, intimate space housed in a former school building — visiting both permanent exhibitions typically takes between 45 minutes and an hour and a half.

What is the museum's main attraction? A replica of the Celtic head from the 3rd century BC, discovered in 1943 in nearby Mšecké Žehrovice — one of the most significant Celtic finds in Central Europe.

Does the museum host special events? Yes, the best known is the annual "Day with the Celts." The museum also runs school lessons, lectures, competitions, and Christmas concerts throughout the year.

Is it worth combining with other sights in the region? Definitely — Nové Strašecí lies in the Rakovník district, close to other branches of the T. G. Masaryk Museum and to sites connected with Celtic settlement, making it easy to build a fuller themed route through the area.