Velké Losiny paper museum

The Velké Losiny Handmade Paper Mill is one of the oldest workshops in the world still producing paper by hand, located in the village of Velké Losiny in the Šumperk district, within the Žárová administrative area at the foothills of the Jeseníky Mountains. The mill traces its origins back to the 1590s, making it the oldest continuously operating handmade paper mill in Central Europe. In 2001 it was declared a Czech national cultural monument, recognizing over four hundred years of unbroken production that has no equivalent elsewhere in the region.

What will you see at the paper mill?

A visit is split into two separate tour routes through the historic production hall, where sheets of paper are still hand-formed from cotton and linen fibers exactly as they were centuries ago. Guides walk visitors through the full process, from preparing the paper pulp to scooping it onto wire moulds, pressing the sheets, and drying the finished paper. Paper made in Velké Losiny today supplies art restorers, artists, printers of formal invitations, and bookbinders, prized for a durability and quality that industrial paper simply cannot match.

The mill also houses the Museum of Paper, open since 1987 and the only museum of its kind in the Czech Republic. Its permanent exhibition traces the history of the papermaking craft and the beginnings of industrial paper production in the Czech lands, displaying historic tools, antique paper moulds, and examples of watermarks used across different eras.

How to get to Velké Losiny?

Velké Losiny sits a few kilometers north of Šumperk, in the scenic valley of the Desná River right at the entrance to the Jeseníky Mountains. The village is well connected by regular bus service from both Šumperk and Jeseník, and the paper mill stands in the center of the village, close to another local landmark, Velké Losiny Chateau. Visitors arriving by car will find parking right at the site, making it easy to pair a paper mill visit with a stop at the chateau or the nearby spa thermal baths.

When to visit?

The mill is open year-round, with opening hours that shift by season. From January to April and October to December, tours run Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, and on weekends from 9:00 to 17:00. In May, June, and September, the site is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, while July and August, the peak of the tourist season, bring extended hours until 18:00. The last tour always starts an hour before closing. Visiting outside the summer months means smaller crowds, while summer sees the highest number of group and family tours.

How much does a ticket cost?

A standard ticket for the first tour route, which covers the working production hall and the paper-scooping demonstration, costs 170 CZK, with a reduced rate of 110 CZK. The second route, through the Museum of Paper, is cheaper at 130 CZK standard and 80 CZK reduced. Both routes can be combined in a single visit, giving a full picture of both the craft itself and its long history.

Frequently asked questions

Can you watch the paper-scooping process live? Yes, that is the highlight of the first tour route. Mill workers demonstrate the traditional technique of forming sheets from cotton and linen pulp, using the same methods that have been in use for centuries.

Are the paper mill and the museum covered by one ticket? No, they are two separate tour routes with separate tickets, one through the active production hall and one through the Museum of Paper exhibition. Both can be purchased together for a full visit.

How long does a visit take? Touring both routes in full typically takes around ninety minutes to two hours, depending on group size and how many questions come up along the way.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes, a Renaissance chateau stands in the center of Velké Losiny, and spa thermal baths operate close by, making it easy to combine the paper mill with a full day out in the area.