Oblastní muzeum v Chomutově

Oblastní muzeum v Chomutově (the Regional Museum in Chomutov) is one of the longest-running cultural institutions in northwestern Bohemia, based in the town of Chomutov at the foot of the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory). Founded in 1911, it has spent more than a century building up collections on the nature, history and art of this border region.

Where is the museum located?

The museum operates across two historic buildings in the town centre. The main premises occupy the Jiří Popel of Lobkowicz House, a building with roots in a former Jesuit college complex, while a second set of exhibitions is housed in the old town hall building. Visiting the museum therefore doubles as a walk through some of Chomutov's most historic architecture.

What can you see inside?

The main building holds an extensive natural-history display dedicated to the Ore Mountains: minerals, rocks and local flora are shown alongside a collection of folk art and craftsmanship spanning objects from the 18th century up to the present day. It's a solid place to get a sense of everyday life in the region over the past two centuries.

A separate highlight is the archaeological exhibition titled "A Glimpse into Prehistory", built around three reconstructed graves belonging to different prehistoric cultures — a rare chance to compare burial practices from thousands of years ago side by side in one space.

The old town hall building houses a more art-focused display: historic sculptures and paintings, a lapidarium of stone carvings, and a moving nativity scene created by Fiala, one of the more distinctive pieces of folk craftsmanship in the region. The museum also presents a permanent exhibition of Gothic and early Renaissance art here, titled "For the Comfort of the Whole World", covering sculpture and painting from the Chomutov and Kadaň area between 1350 and 1590 — a period when the region was an important centre of sacred art in Bohemia.

Altogether, the museum's holdings comprise 29 sub-collections and more than 638,000 items, making it one of the better-stocked museum institutions in the Ústí nad Labem region.

How do you get there?

Chomutov lies in northwestern Bohemia at the foot of the Ore Mountains and is well connected by rail and main roads to Ústí nad Labem, Most and Karlovy Vary. Both museum buildings sit in the historic town centre a short distance apart, so visiting both exhibitions on foot in a single day is straightforward.

When is a good time to visit?

The museum pairs well with a broader visit to Chomutov and the surrounding Ore Mountains, which offer hiking trails and viewpoints that complement a stop at the museum. Since the permanent exhibitions are regularly supplemented by temporary shows, it's worth checking current opening hours and the active exhibition programme before setting off.

Frequently asked questions

When was the museum founded? The Oblastní muzeum v Chomutově was established in 1911 and has been building collections on the Chomutov and Ore Mountains region ever since.

How many buildings make up the museum? Exhibitions are spread across two sites: the Jiří Popel of Lobkowicz House, built on a former Jesuit complex, and the old town hall building.

What are the main themes of the exhibitions? Ore Mountains nature, folk art and craft, prehistoric archaeology (the "Glimpse into Prehistory" exhibition), and Gothic and early Renaissance art from the Chomutov–Kadaň area.

How large are the museum's collections? The collections include 29 sub-collections and more than 638,000 items, placing the museum among the larger regional institutions in the Czech Republic.