Regionální muzeum v Litomyšli

The Regional Museum in Litomyšl is run by the Pardubice Region and tells the story of the town and the whole Svitavy district. It stands on Zámecké návrší (Castle Hill) — the very same hill that carries Litomyšl's UNESCO-listed château — so a visit here pairs naturally with a walk around the castle grounds.

Where exactly is the museum?

The main building sits at Jiráskova 9, inside a former Piarist grammar school built in Baroque style between 1714 and 1719. The solid, stately structure served as a school for generations before museum staff moved in. In 2004 the older town museum, which had operated since 1926, was transformed into a regional institution, and since then it has documented not only Litomyšl itself but also the surrounding villages of the district.

What's inside?

The core of the visit is the permanent exhibition "Litomyšl – A Town of Culture and Learning," split into nine thematic sections. It walks visitors through the town's history from its earliest settlement to the present day — medieval trade routes, the Renaissance and Baroque eras, and the 19th and 20th centuries, when Litomyšl earned its reputation as a town of schools and culture. The displays feel modern for good reason: between 2012 and 2014 the museum underwent a major revitalization and expansion designed by architect Josef Pleskot, reopening to the public in July 2014.

Beyond the main building, the museum also manages the apartment where composer Bedřich Smetana was born, housed in the former castle brewery right next to the château. It's a required stop for anyone tracing the roots of the man behind "The Bartered Bride" and "Má vlast."

How to get there and when to visit

Litomyšl lies in the Pardubice Region and is well connected by train and bus from both Pardubice and Svitavy. The museum, part of the Castle Hill complex, is within easy walking distance of the main square and the train station. It stays open year-round: Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00. During the summer school holidays it switches to daily opening, Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 to 17:00, which suits visitors passing through on a longer trip.

A standard ticket costs 90 CZK, a reduced ticket (children aged 6–15, students, and seniors over 65) 50 CZK, and a family ticket for two adults with children 230 CZK. It's worth combining the museum with the neighboring château and Smetana's birth house to take in the town's full cultural heritage in a single day.

Frequently asked questions

Is the museum part of Litomyšl Château? No, it's a separate institution, but it shares the same Castle Hill as the UNESCO-listed château, so both are easy to combine in one visit.

How much time should I plan for a visit? The permanent exhibition has nine thematic sections, so a relaxed visit usually takes around an hour to ninety minutes.

Can I also visit Bedřich Smetana's birthplace? Yes — the museum administers the composer's family apartment in the former castle brewery building, a short walk from the main exhibition.

Are there family discounts? Yes, a family ticket for two adults with children costs 230 CZK, and 180 CZK for holders of a family discount card.