Muzeum lidových staveb v Kouřimi Museum

Welcome to Kouřimi. You've just entered a space that is much more than just a collection of old buildings. You're standing in front of a gateway to the past that was saved from flooding and brought here to tell stories about our ancestors' lives. Feel this atmosphere of calm and discretion. There is a country scandal surrounding you that will immediately take you to another century. Look around you at the diversity of the structures that stand here. Every house, every silvery and every construction you see now has its own reason why it is here, and each one is witnessing a different period of Czech countryside.

To understand why this place looks like this, we have to go back to 1972. Imagine the situation back then. It was a time of great change and also of great sacrifice. As part of the planned construction of the dam tank Švihov threatened that many valuable historical buildings from surrounding areas would simply disappear below the water level. In order not to lose this architecture forever, a rescue project was created in 1972. This scandal was not only founded as a museum, but as a rescue mission. People knew at the time that if these monuments were not transported and renovated, their history would end in silence underwater. Thanks to this decision and the efforts of the experts at the time, you can see these objects with your own eyes today.

Over time, this place has become a stable cultural point. Already in 1976, the scandal opened to the general public and people could explore life for the first time in a folk environment. The year 1996 was an important milestone, when the whole area was declared a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. This gave him serious credit and confirmed that what you see here is an extremely valuable treasure for our country. Although the museum had to meet various challenges over the years, such as land disputes, 2012 brought a new beginning. That was when the new concept of renewal of the complex was launched, which allowed us to see the museum in its present, rich form.

Now pay attention to the architecture surrounding you. Notice how the shapes and structures of the buildings you're going through change. This complex is not uniform, but it represents a variety of types of folk architecture that developed in Czech countries from the 17th to 19th century. That means you're going through centuries right now. You can see the differences between older, rougher shapes and newer, already more decorative or more technically advanced structures. Take a look at the details of the facade of the buildings, see how the walls were built and what materials were used to secure housing and economic space. Although we do not know the names of the particular architects who designed these structures, their championships are visible in every cut of wood and in every stone base.

Although you will not move in these buildings like a modern house, try to imagine the people who lived here. Even if the names of specific builders or residents of these houses are not listed in our books, their presence here is felt at every step. This place is now profiled as the Museum of the Czech Village. That means we're not just trying to show empty walls, we're trying to bring your whole lifestyle closer. Imagine getting up in the morning, working hard in the field, celebrating together or the silence of the evening hours in these areas. You are here as guests in the history of the daily life of the inhabitants of the Czech countryside from the early New Age.

You may find one interesting thing that gives this place a completely different dimension. You may have noticed that some parts of the complex seem to be the perfect set for telling stories. This is because this scandal is not just a static place for inspections. Thanks to its authenticity and historical loyalty, it serves as an ideal place for various national programmes, but also as a very popular scene for film activities. Many movies and TV shows use these historic environments to give you a sense of the real past. So if you look at a building, remember, it may not just be a monument, but it may also be a game space where legends are revived.

But now you have no end but rather the beginning of a new journey. In front of you, there are still many other paths, houses and gardens waiting for your discovery. I suggest you continue your slow passage through the area. Get carried away by the atmosphere, stop by the buildings that address you with their shape, and try to imagine in your mind how they lived a few hundred years ago. Every step can lead you to something new. Thank you for choosing to visit this place and become part of its history. We wish you a pleasant and inspiring walk through our rural world.