Výstavní síň u sv. Jana - Síň rodáků Jimramova

Výstavní síň u sv. Jana – Síň rodáků (Exhibition Hall by St. John's – Hall of Natives) is a compact local museum in Jimramov, a small town on the Svratka River in the Vysočina region. The building stands on the town's main square, named after the writer Jan Karafiát, and holds permanent exhibitions dedicated to the region's best-known native sons.

What is this place?

The building started life as the Catholic school "U sv. Jana" (By St. John's), built in 1801 by Count Antonín Belcredi in a classical style. It served as a school until 1986, and after renovation, the Síň rodáků opened here in December 1998 as a memorial hall for people born or active in Jimramov and its surroundings. The square in front of it forms the historic heart of the town, whose administrative territory also includes the nearby village of Sedliště on the Svratka, first recorded in documents back in 1474.

What will you see inside?

The centerpiece of the exhibition is the original diorama for the book "Broučci" (Fireflies), created by Jiří Trnka, the famous Czech illustrator and puppet-film director. The diorama was made for the 1938 World's Fair in Paris, but because of the outbreak of war it wasn't shown to the public until decades later, at Expo 1958. Alongside it, the exhibition profiles local figures of note: the writer Jan Karafiát, author of the Czech children's classic "Broučci"; brothers Alois and Vilém Mrštík; missionary Karel Slavíček; preacher Matěj Josef Sychra; and lesser-known names such as Michal Blažek, František Žemlička, Čeněk Dobiáš and Bohuslav Kozák. A companion exhibit, "Život na Vysočině" (Life in the Vysočina Highlands), documents traditional rural life in the region, and a separate display opened in 2002, "Život a dílo Jana Karafiáta" (Life and Work of Jan Karafiát), is devoted entirely to the writer's life and work.

How do you get there?

Jimramov sits in the Žďár nad Sázavou district, on the road connecting Nové Město na Moravě and Bystřice nad Pernštejnem. Driving is the most convenient option — there's parking right by the main square. Local buses also run from Nové Město na Moravě and from Polička, with a stop a few minutes' walk from Jan Karafiát Square, where the building stands.

When should you visit?

The hall keeps seasonal hours. In July and August it's open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00. Outside the summer season, visits need to be arranged by phone in advance, since there are no fixed year-round opening hours. It's worth combining a visit with a walk through Jimramov's historic town centre, which is protected as an urban heritage zone.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Síň rodáků in Jimramov? It's a memorial hall and regional museum inside a former school built in 1801, dedicated to notable people connected with Jimramov, including the writer Jan Karafiát.

What's the main attraction of the exhibition? The original diorama for the book "Broučci," made by Jiří Trnka for the 1938 World's Fair in Paris.

Is the Síň rodáků open all year? No — fixed opening hours apply only in summer (July–August); outside that period, visits must be booked by phone.

How do you get to Jimramov? By car, along the road linking Nové Město na Moravě and Bystřice nad Pernštejnem, or by local bus, which stops close to Jan Karafiát Square where the museum is located.