Muzeum Šumavy Kašperské Hory

Muzeum Šumavy in Kašperské Hory is one of the most visited museums in the Czech Republic and the main seat of the wider Šumava museum network. The building sits right on the central square of this small mountain town, famous for its gold-mining past and the nearby Kašperk castle, and its galleries trace centuries of life in the Šumava region — from mining and craft to folk art and local nature.

What is on display?

The exhibition spreads across three floors. Visitors can see a collection of late Gothic Madonnas and Baroque sacred sculptures dating from the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, traditional nativity scenes, painted glass, and pieces of regional folk craft. A dedicated natural history section shows taxidermied animals typical of the surrounding forests and peat bogs.

The historical part of the exhibition focuses on how people in the region made a living: farming, forestry, wire-drawing, and above all gold mining and processing, which sustained Kašperské Hory for centuries. There are also more unusual stories on show — the museum documents the region's traveling circus performers, locals who toured Europe with itinerant shows in the 19th and 20th centuries.

What is the standout exhibit?

A particular highlight is a coin hoard discovered in 2009 during reconstruction work on the town square. It is the second-largest coin find in western Bohemia since 1771, and part of it is now on public display. The museum also holds an extensive collection of Šumava glass, documenting a glassmaking tradition that shaped the local economy for generations.

How do you get there?

Kašperské Hory lies in the heart of the Šumava mountains in southwestern Bohemia, close to the German border. The museum stands directly on the town's central square, so it is easiest to reach on foot from parking in the town centre; by car, the town is reached via regional roads from Sušice or the surrounding villages. It makes a good base for a side trip to Kašperk castle, just a few kilometres away.

When should you visit?

It's worth checking current opening hours and which exhibitions are accessible before setting off, since parts of the building are occasionally closed for renovation work, with displays sometimes reduced to select rooms such as the glass exhibition. The museum runs at full capacity during the summer season, which also pairs well with hiking the trails around Šumava.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of the exhibitions at Muzeum Šumavy? Regional history — gold mining, crafts, farming and forestry — alongside sacred and folk art, including Gothic sculptures and nativity scenes.

Can you see anything about Šumava's wildlife inside? Yes, a separate natural history exhibition displays taxidermied animals typical of the region's forests and peat bogs.

What is the coin hoard mentioned in the collection? It was found in 2009 during reconstruction of the town square in Kašperské Hory and is the second-largest coin find in western Bohemia since 1771.

Is the museum easy to combine with a visit to Kašperk castle? Yes, the castle is just a few kilometres away and the two make a popular one-day combination when exploring the region.