Pivovar v Žirovnici Brewery building

Welcome to Žirnice. Right now, when you're standing in front of this impressive two-storey building, you're in a place where history can't just be read from books, but where you can literally feel it in every rock and shadow that throws down Renaissance walls. Take a look at this object, which stands near the castle. His presence here is not random. This building is not just a simple house, but a witness of centuries, a bit of human work, technological progress and changes that have been going through this entire area. Feel the atmosphere of peace and stability that this Renaissance entity radiates. It is a building that has survived various ages, governments and changes in social order, and yet has retained its dignity.

To understand why this place is standing right here and why it's so important, we need to go back to the past with you until the first half of the sixteenth century. The history of this place is not short. Already at that time, namely in 1544, a mention of a brewery belonging to the masters of Vrchoviště appears in one of the sales contracts. Imagine a time when beer production was not only a matter of taste, but above all a question of the survival and economic stability of the entire estate. Petr Vencelík z Vrchovišť, whose name appears in these documents, was one of those who laid the foundations for the future boom of this place. At that time, it was a functional, vital part of the economy that supplied the surrounding humanity and brought profit to the noble families.

But now pay attention to the architecture itself, which is right before your eyes. What you see is the result of a magnificent intent that took place in the late 16th century. Between 1589 and 1592, this new building was built in a typical Renaissance style. But it was not the work of local craftsmen without a higher mandate. The construction was attended by top experts of their time, Italian architecture, Baltazar Maggi and Antonio Cometto. It is thanks to their influence and expertise that the building has acquired its specific face, its symmetry and the Renaissance elegance that you can perceive today. Notice the two-story structure that seems so balanced. The Italian school brought a new view to the Czech countries of the space and how the building was supposed to affect the surroundings - it was supposed to give the impression of order, strength and culture. Now, when you look at the facade, try to imagine the workload, the materials and the level of craft these masters put into the building.

When looking at these walls, you cannot stop at names that are closely related to this place. The history of the brewery is interwoven with stories of powerful generations and prominent personalities. In addition to those gentlemen from Vrchoviště there were other administrators and owners such as Albrecht z Gutštejna and Adam II. z Hradce at different times. Each of them saw this brewery as an important pillar of his estate. The place was part of a wider circle of power and wealth, which revolved around the castle and its economic operations. The figures like Karel Štěpánek then represent later layers of history that help us understand how this place transformed over the centuries. It's fascinating to think how many different faces and voices these premises have heard in the last 500 years.

Now, if you think about how much this place has changed, you'll find an interesting contrast. After centuries of intensive production, which reached huge proportions in the eighteenth century and was a key engine of the local economy, in 1893 the time came when the beer production in this particular building was finally finished. From a place where the boilers were boiling and where the smell of malt and hops was ruled, a building had to find its new meaning. Although production stopped, the building didn't die. On the contrary, its value was so high that in 1967 it was recognised and protected as a cultural monument. After a long period of waiting and subsequent revitalization, which was completed in 2011, this space reopened itself to the world.

Today, however, you will not only feel the smell of beer, but rather the smell of history and craft. The building serves as a museum that will guide you through a world of traditions that were as important to this region as the brewery itself. Here you can explore the fascinating expositions dedicated to perlettery and button shop. Imagine the patience and precision that the people who made these small but beautiful objects had to have. This connection between great architecture and small, human craft is what makes this place so special.

You may find it strange how an industrial object becomes a place for culture and education, but that is where its greatest mystery and strength lies. This building was able to adapt its existence to every new era. The brewery for the noble estate became a pillar of the economy, the industrial building became a protected monument and finally became a home for rare collections. It is a story about durability and how human work and creative spirit can survive even when the very purpose of the original work changes.

We now cordially invite you to further explore. Let yourself be drifting through the atmosphere of the inner space, see the exhibits and try to imagine in every corner of the museum the people who worked here, lived and formed centuries ago. We leave you now with your own pace of discovery so you can enjoy these impressions in peace. Thank you for your attention and we wish you a pleasant visit to this special place in Žirnice.