Muzeum východních Čech - Muzeum války 1866

The Museum of the 1866 War in Všestary is a branch of the Museum of Eastern Bohemia (Muzeum východních Čech) in Hradec Králové, sitting atop Chlum hill — the highest point of the old Battle of Hradec Králové battlefield, at 335 meters above sea level. It was here, on 3 July 1866, that the decisive battle of the Austro-Prussian War took place — widely regarded as the largest pitched battle ever fought on the territory of today's Czech Republic, and a turning point in the struggle between Prussia and Austria for dominance in Central Europe.

After closing for a major reconstruction in October 2023, the museum reopened on 3 July 2026 — exactly on the 160th anniversary of the battle — with an entirely new, modern audiovisual exhibition. The curators deliberately moved away from the format of a classic military museum focused on weapons and tactics. Instead, the new concept centers on the human dimension of the events: visitors experience the story through memoirs and accounts of soldiers and civilians from both sides of the conflict, brought to life with interactive elements and modern technology that recreate the atmosphere of that day.

How to get there?

The museum is located at Chlum č.p. 66, in the village of Všestary, a short drive northeast of Hradec Králové. The site is easily reached from the city, and thanks to its elevated position, the museum's distinctive observation tower is visible from a considerable distance across the surrounding countryside.

What will you see?

At the heart of the museum is a compact but content-rich new exhibition tracing the course of the battle of 3 July 1866 and its consequences for the local population. The story doesn't end inside the museum building — the entire former battlefield around Chlum functions as an open-air historical monument. Scattered across the surrounding fields and woods are more than 400 monuments, memorial plaques, crosses, and individual and mass graves of soldiers who fell during that single, bloody day of fighting. From the observation tower's viewing platform, visitors can look out over the old battlefield, gaining a real sense of the scale of a clash that drew hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides.

When should you visit?

The museum is open year-round, though on a seasonally adjusted schedule. From May to September it is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00–18:00. From October to April it is closed Monday through Wednesday, opening Thursday through Sunday, also 10:00–18:00. Keep in mind that the observation tower can be closed during bad weather, particularly strong wind or storms, so it's worth building some flexibility into a visit on days with uncertain conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is the Museum of the 1866 War? It's a branch of the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové dedicated to the Battle of Hradec Králové (also known as the Battle of Königgrätz or Sadová) of 1866, located directly on the former battlefield in the village of Chlum near Všestary.

Is it worth combining the museum with exploring the surrounding area? Absolutely — the area around the museum is a vast historical site with more than 400 monuments and war graves scattered across fields and forests, naturally inviting a longer walk across the old battlefield.

Is there an observation tower on site? Yes, the observation tower at Chlum offers a panoramic view over the battlefield, though it can be closed during unfavorable weather.

When is the best time to plan a visit? Given the seasonal opening hours (a shorter visiting week in winter), it's most convenient to plan a visit Tuesday through Sunday between 10:00 and 18:00, checking the current schedule in advance — especially given the museum's recent reopening in 2026.