Muzeum olomouckých tvarůžků

The Olomoucké Tvarůžky Museum in Loštice is a one-of-a-kind spot dedicated to the Czech Republic's most pungent cheese — a sharp-smelling curd cheese that has been made in this small Moravian town for generations.

Where is the museum located?

The museum sits on Palackého Street, right in the centre of Loštice, close to Zábřeh and Litovel. It's a natural stop on any trip through Central Moravia, especially if you enjoy pairing sightseeing with local food traditions.

How did the museum come to be?

The first version of the exhibition opened in the summer of 1994, housed in the building of the original factory where tvarůžky were actually produced. Twenty years later, on 26 June 2014, the museum moved into a larger, purpose-built space and was completely reimagined — swapping simple display cases for multimedia storytelling and set-design rooms.

What's inside?

The visit begins in what used to be stables, where the "Great Story" unfolds — the tale of tvarůžky and of the Wessels family (the source of the "A.W." in the traditional dairy's name), whose fortunes became tied to this cheese. From there, rooms guide you step by step through the production process: curd handling, shaping and brining the little cheeses, and finally packaging. Upstairs there's a reconstructed workshop of Karel Pivný along with a retro-styled "Sokolské kino Loštice" cinema screening films about the cheese's history and production.

So what exactly is tvarůžky?

It's a low-fat, ripened curd cheese known for its very intense smell and sharp flavour. It has been made in the Loštice area for several centuries and today is one of the Czech Republic's best-known regional specialities — eaten fried in batter, on open sandwiches, or simply as a snack alongside a beer.

How long does a visit take, and is it accessible?

A full visit takes around an hour. The building is wheelchair accessible, and every exhibit carries a QR code with information in Czech, English and German, making the museum easy to enjoy independently without a guide.

When to go, and what else to see nearby?

The museum is open through most of the year, and a visit pairs naturally with a walk around Loštice itself — a small, picturesque town with a historic square and burgher houses. For many visitors, tasting tvarůžky on the spot is just as memorable as the exhibition itself.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum? On Palackého Street in the centre of Loštice.

Since when has it existed? The first exhibition opened in the summer of 1994; the current, rebuilt museum has operated since 26 June 2014.

How much time should I set aside? A standard visit takes about an hour.

Is the museum easy for foreign visitors to navigate? Yes — exhibits are labelled with QR codes offering English and German translations, and the building is wheelchair accessible.