School of Božena Němcová

The School of Božena Němcová in Česká Skalice is part of the Božena Němcová Museum, the oldest literary museum in the Czech Republic, dedicated to the author of "Grandmother" (Babička), one of the most beloved novels in Czech literature. The exhibition sits beneath the town square, on the site where young Barbora Panklová — later famous as the writer Božena Němcová — attended a wooden village school between 1824 and 1833.

What will you see at the School of Božena Němcová?

The exhibition, known locally as Barunčina škola, recreates the atmosphere of a rural classroom from the first half of the 19th century, drawing inspiration from Němcová's short story "Pan učitel" (The Teacher). Visitors walk through a teacher's study and a model classroom fitted out with period school desks and teaching aids. Among the exhibits is a replica of the famous "golden book," in which the teacher recorded the names of the school's best pupils each year — a detail Němcová later wove into her own writing.

The original building where little Barunka studied no longer stands; it burned down in the second half of the 19th century. What visitors see today is a careful reconstruction meant to capture the spirit of the period rather than an untouched original. In the school courtyard, look out for the ceramic decoration by academic painter and ceramicist Jiří Škopka, depicting scenes of everyday life in a rural school.

How to get to the School of Božena Němcová?

The site sits in the heart of Česká Skalice, in the Hradec Králové Region, roughly a 10-minute walk from the main building of the Božena Němcová Museum in the Malá Skalice museum complex. The town is well connected to Náchod and Hradec Králové by regular bus and rail services. Drivers will find parking near the town square.

When is the best time to visit?

Like the rest of the museum, the School of Božena Němcová typically operates seasonally, from spring through autumn, with a winter closure. Spring and summer are the best times to visit, allowing you to combine the school with a walk through the nearby Babiččino údolí (Grandmother's Valley), the landscape that inspired Němcová's most famous novel. It's worth checking current opening hours before your visit, as they can change with the season.

Why visit?

For anyone interested in Czech literature, this is a rare chance to stand in the space that shaped the childhood of Babička's author and directly inspired one of her best-known stories. The recreated classroom also offers a vivid glimpse into rural education nearly two centuries ago, making it an engaging stop for families traveling with children as well.

Frequently asked questions

Is the School of Božena Němcová the actual building where the writer studied? Not exactly — the original school building burned down in the second half of the 19th century. Today's exhibition is a reconstruction that recreates the look and feel of a classroom from that era.

How long does a visit take? The exhibition is compact, so a visit typically takes 20–30 minutes, plus a bit of extra time to walk over from the main Božena Němcová Museum building.

Does a ticket to the School of Božena Němcová include the main museum? The school is part of the same museum complex, so it's usually worth combining your visit with the main exhibition on Božena Němcová's life and work — it's best to check current ticket details directly before you go.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Right next door is Babiččino údolí, the valley that inspired the novel "Grandmother," along with the main Božena Němcová Museum building, which displays personal items belonging to the writer.