Muzeum starých strojů a technologií

The Museum of Old Machines and Technologies in Žamberk is one of the most rewarding stops for technology enthusiasts touring eastern Bohemia. It occupies the buildings of a former textile mill, locally known as Vonwillerka, which has been gradually transformed since 2010 into a living, working museum of technology. Here, historic machines aren't kept behind glass — they actually run.

What can you see at the museum?

The heart of the collection is steam power: the museum holds the largest collection of functional, operating steam engines anywhere in the country. The oldest pieces date from between 1870 and 1900, making them genuine witnesses to the early industrial era in the region. Alongside classic stationary steam engines, visitors will find locomobiles, locomotives, stationary and mobile agricultural engines, narrow-gauge railway vehicles, and historic machine tools. The collection is rounded out with vintage automobiles, giving the exhibition a broad sweep from heavy industrial machinery to early motoring.

Importantly, this is not a static display. The museum's staff and volunteers spend much of their time rescuing, conserving, and restoring historic machinery — many pieces were saved quite literally at the last moment before being scrapped, and their restoration can take years.

How do you get there?

The museum is located in Žamberk, a small town in the Pardubice Region of eastern Bohemia, inside the former Vonwiller factory building. The town sits along routes connecting Pardubice with the Kladsko (Kłodzko) borderland, making it a convenient stop on a longer regional trip. Driving is the most comfortable option, though Žamberk is also reachable by regional bus and rail connections from Ústí nad Orlicí.

When should you visit?

This is essential practical information: the museum does not keep fixed daily opening hours. Visits take place on days scheduled around seasonal public events (for example, on set days and times during spring and summer) or, at other times, only by prior telephone arrangement with a guide. Before planning a trip, check the museum's current schedule or call ahead — it's the only reliable way to avoid showing up to closed doors.

How much does admission cost?

Ticket prices are modest: adults pay around 200 CZK, seniors aged 65 and over around 150 CZK, and children around 120 CZK. Visits are typically guided, with a host explaining the history of individual machines and the restoration work behind them.

Who is this museum for?

The site appeals both to industrial history enthusiasts and to families with children, who tend to love seeing loud, smoking, genuinely working steam machinery up close. It's a rare chance to experience historic technology not as a lifeless exhibit, but in full, noisy operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the museum open every day? No. It has no fixed daily hours — it operates on scheduled days during seasonal public events or by prior telephone arrangement with a guide.

What is the main attraction? The largest collection of working steam engines in the country, including machines dating from 1870–1900, alongside locomobiles, locomotives, and narrow-gauge railway vehicles.

Where exactly is the museum located? In the buildings of the former Vonwiller textile mill (known locally as Vonwillerka) in Žamberk, eastern Bohemia.

How long does a visit take? A guided visit typically lasts around an hour, depending on how many machines are demonstrated and started up during the tour.