Vlastivědné muzeum Kyjov

Vlastivědné muzeum Kyjov (the Kyjov Regional Museum) occupies a Renaissance château – the oldest surviving building in town, built around 1548 by Jan Kuna of Kunštát on the site of an earlier stronghold. It's one of the standout attractions in Kyjov, in the Moravian Slovácko region, bringing together history, archaeology and nature under one roof.

The story behind the museum

The collection's roots go back to 1904, when a retrospective exhibition of Czech towns in Napajedla inspired locals to start systematically gathering historical material about Kyjov. Running out of space, the town moved its collections into the château between 1926 and 1928, and the museum opened to the public on 20 May 1928. The historic building has remained the museum's core ever since, joined in 2010 by a modern extension.

What will you see?

The exhibits are organized into several themed sections. On the ground floor, three biotope installations bring visitors face to face with the wildlife of the Kyjov region. The historical section traces the town's story from the 16th century through to the interwar period, while a dedicated ethnographic exhibit showcases the variety of folk costumes typical of the Kyjov and Ždánice areas.

The real highlight, though, is the archaeology exhibition devoted to the Langobards, a Germanic tribe whose burial ground was uncovered in Kyjov during construction of an industrial zone. A nearly six-month excavation, completed in December 2010, revealed a remarkable cemetery on land originally earmarked for a car park next to a nearby shopping centre. Among the finds is an intact grave of a Langobard warrior, complete with an almost perfectly preserved sword with a bronze hilt – part of what is considered the largest Langobard burial site discovered in Central Europe. Following a major refurbishment in 2020, the exhibition now includes a range of interactive elements.

How to get there?

The museum sits in the centre of Kyjov, inside the former château building, an easy walk from the main square and the bus station. Kyjov itself is well connected to Brno and Hodonín, making it a straightforward day trip from either city.

When to visit?

The museum runs on a seasonal schedule and regularly hosts themed events, including open days linked to Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. It's worth checking current opening hours before you go, since they can vary by season.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a ticket to the Kyjov Regional Museum cost? A standard ticket costs 100 CZK, with a discounted rate of 50 CZK.

What is the museum's biggest highlight? The Langobard exhibition, showcasing finds from what is considered the largest Langobard burial ground discovered in Central Europe, including a warrior's grave with a preserved sword.

Is the museum housed in a historic building? Yes — a mid-16th-century Renaissance château, the oldest surviving building in Kyjov, with a modern wing added in 2010.

What else can visitors see besides the archaeology exhibit? A nature exhibition with biotopes representing local wildlife, a historical section on the town's past, and an ethnographic display of folk costumes from the Kyjov and Ždánice regions.