Muzeum živé a nežíve přírody v okolí Kněžic

The Museum of Living and Non-Living Nature around Kněžice is a small, local natural-history exhibition housed inside the chateau in Kněžice, right next to the hamlet of Víska on the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands (Vysočina region, Jihlava district). It suits travelers looking for a quiet, off-the-beaten-path stop to round out a longer trip through the highlands — free of charge and free of crowds.

Where exactly is it?

The exhibition occupies a single room inside the Renaissance chateau in Kněžice (postal code 675 29), in the Jihlava district. Víska, the reference point for this location, is a tiny village that forms part of the Kněžice municipality, lying roughly half a kilometer east of the Kněžice center, surrounded by the calm, agricultural countryside typical of the Highlands. Road II/402 runs through Víska, and the settlement today counts fewer than a hundred permanent residents spread across a few dozen addresses.

What will you see at the chateau?

The chateau in Kněžice itself carries a history stretching back centuries. It was built at the end of the 16th century as a Renaissance hunting lodge on the initiative of the Waldstein (Valdštejn) family. In the 18th century, under the Collalto family, it received Baroque modifications, and toward the end of the 19th century its facade was given Neoclassical features. After 1945 the building passed into the hands of a local agricultural cooperative and fell into decline for decades. The turning point came in 2000, when the municipality bought the chateau; a thorough renovation followed through 2003, giving the building a second life.

Today the chateau houses the municipal office and the local library, a chateau restaurant operates on the ground floor, and one room is given over to a permanent local-history and natural-history exhibition dedicated to the living and non-living nature of the Kněžice area. It's a modest, homegrown collection that gives visitors a sense of the region's natural character — a good opportunity to see the chateau's earlier, more rural and nature-focused side while you're already there for the building itself.

How do you get there?

Kněžice and Víska are most easily reached by car, along road II/402, in a quiet stretch of the Highlands between Jihlava and Třebíč. Travelers relying on public transport can use TRADO-BUS services connecting Kněžice with towns such as Jihlava, Třebíč, Brtnice, Okříšky, Želetava, and Štěměchy — meaning a car-free visit is realistic, though it's worth checking the current timetable before setting out.

When should you visit?

Because the exhibition sits inside the building that also houses the municipal office and library, the best time to visit is on a weekday during those institutions' opening hours — that gives you the best chance the exhibition room will actually be accessible. If you're coming from farther afield, it's worth calling ahead to confirm opening times.

Who is this for?

This is a stop for travelers who enjoy local history, nature, and chateau architecture, and who appreciate quiet, unassuming places away from the main tourist crowds. It pairs well with a day spent touring other chateaux and manor houses of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands — the region is dense with them, so Kněžice can easily be one of several stops in a single day.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to the exhibition free? Yes, entry is free of charge.

Is there somewhere to eat at the chateau? Yes, a restaurant operates on the ground floor of the chateau.

What's the best way to get there without a car? TRADO-BUS services link Kněžice with Jihlava, Třebíč, and Brtnice among other towns — check the current timetable in advance.

How long does a visit take? The exhibition fits into a single room, so visiting usually takes no more than 20–30 minutes — a good short stop on a route between other Highlands attractions.