Muzeum Šumavy Sušice, příspěvková organizace

The Šumava Museum in Sušice is a regional museum in the Czech town of Sušice, set at the foot of the Šumava mountains. It occupies a Renaissance burgher house with a Gothic core dating back to the second half of the 15th century, standing right on the town's main square, náměstí Svobody.

How did the museum come to be?

The idea of establishing a museum dedicated to the Šumava region and Pošumaví came from a local teacher, Josef Holík. On 25 January 1880 he published an open appeal to the town councillors in the local newspaper Posel ze Sušice, pointing out that no such museum yet existed anywhere in the region. The town council approved his proposal that same April, marking the founding of the institution. In 1967 the Sušice collections were merged with the museums in Kašperské Hory and Železná Ruda into a single organization operating under the shared name Muzeum Šumavy.

What will you see inside?

The permanent exhibitions trace several strands of the region's and the town's history. One of the main halls is devoted to the history of Šumava glassmaking, a craft that shaped the local economy for centuries. Another section covers match production in Sušice, an industry dating back to 1839 — visitors can see the earliest match-making machines along with a collection of matchbox labels prized by collectors worldwide. A particular curiosity on display is the world's largest functioning match.

Other permanent displays include the Sušice tin hoard, a Capuchin library, and a reconstructed bourgeois interior from the mid-19th century, illustrating everyday life of the town's residents at the time.

The mechanical nativity scene — the star attraction

The best-known part of the collection is the Sušice mechanical nativity scene, one of the largest moving nativity displays in the whole of the Czech Republic. Its intricate mechanism animates dozens of figures, recreating scenes of life in the town and surrounding villages — a display that captivates children and adults alike.

When should you visit?

The museum is a natural stop while exploring the historic centre of Sušice, which has preserved the character of a small Šumava town with its well-kept main square. The mechanical nativity scene draws the most visitors around Christmas and New Year, though it can be viewed as part of the regular museum tour throughout the year. Given the museum's modest size, a visit typically takes about one to one and a half hours.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? In the centre of Sušice, on the main square náměstí Svobody, inside a historic Renaissance house with a Gothic core dating from the 15th century.

What is the museum's biggest attraction? The Sušice mechanical nativity scene, one of the largest moving nativity displays in the Czech Republic, along with the exhibition on the history of match production.

Does the museum cover other towns as well? Yes — since 1967 the Šumava Museum has formed a single organization together with the museums in Kašperské Hory and Železná Ruda.

Who is this museum best suited for? Anyone interested in regional history and traditional crafts such as glassmaking and match manufacturing, as well as families with children, thanks in large part to the mechanical nativity scene.