Slovácké muzeum Museum

Welcome to Uherské Hradiště, where history meets the present and where every alley tells its own story. Right now, you're standing outside the building of the Slovakian Museum, one of the most important cultural institutions in the region. Stop for a moment, take a breath and feel the atmosphere of this place. In front of you is a building that is not just a box for rare objects, but in itself is a living witness to the transformation of our city and its surroundings. It's a gateway to a world that teaches us who we are and where we come from.

Let's look together at how this institution came into being. Slovácké muzeum was founded in 1914, at a time when society felt a strong need to preserve its identity and tradition. Since its inception, the museum has focused on collecting and documenting the wealth of the whole Slováck, across the Zlín and South Moravian regions. Imagine the enthusiasm of the first founders who wanted to save folk wisdom, craft and history from oblivion. The museum has thus become a regional centre of ethnography, archaeology, history and art, which still serves as a bridge between generations.

Now pay attention to the building you're standing before. It is fascinating to realize that the space that today serves science and art had a completely different mission in the past. The main building was built between 1801 and 1803, in the place where a wooden shooting range once stood. Notice her appearance and try to imagine that there was originally a shooting club here. Later there was a restaurant, which made this place the social center of the city, where people gathered, discussed and spent their free time.

The history of the building continued. In 1929 it was purchased by the city of Uherské Hradiště and already two years later, in 1931, it became fully used for museum purposes. If you look at the overall composition of the construction, you will see an interesting dialogue between the older part and more modern elements. In 1936 the construction of a modern extension started, the author of which was the renowned architect Bohuslav Fuchs. His intervention in the building brought new dynamism and functionality, which corresponded to the trends of modern architecture. This harmony of old and new is so distinctive that in 1964 the main building was declared an architectural monument.

If you look at the facade like that, you might wonder if the museum ends here. Not at all. Slovácké muzeum is spread out in several objects. One of them is the Gallery of the Slovakian Museum, which is located on Otakarov Street. If you go to it later, notice that it is a Baroque building from 1721 to 1723, where the military armory was originally used. It is a fascinating contrast to the main building, which shows how the museum managed to integrate various historical layers of the city into its operation.

In addition to these buildings in the center of the city, the institution's essential pillar is also the Memorial of Great Moravia, located in the nearby Old Town. There you can touch the very foundations of our statehood and explore archaeological treasures that demonstrate the importance of this area in the early Middle Ages.

Now I want to take you to a story that shows how powerful the museum is linked to the fate of its city. In 1997, the region was hit by a devastating flood that left deep traces even in museum buildings. It was a critical time when many rare exhibits and buildings were at risk of being lost. However, thanks to huge efforts, expertise and courage, the buildings were saved. The system of securing construction structures, which was implemented after the flood, was so innovative and successful that in 1998 the rescue of the Gallery of the Slovakian Museum was awarded the title of Building of the Year. It is proof that the care of monuments is not only about looking into the past, but also about the courage to use modern technology to protect our heritage.

What's interesting is how the museum evolved from a small collection in 1914 in a complex institution that today covers everything from ancient archaeological findings to contemporary art. If you go in, you won't just see objects behind glass. You will perceive the spirit of Slovakian, its colors, sounds and traditions. You will watch the trade change over the centuries, the fashion development and the history of this corner of the country.

Look around you again. You're standing in a place where the gunpowder has turned into the silence of the museum halls and where the Baroque armory has become a home for beautiful paintings. It is a place that teaches us humility before time and also inspires us to value our roots.

Now it is time for you to continue this journey yourself. I invite you to cross the threshold of the museum and be guided through his halls. Discover, ask and be surprised by what this unique institution holds. Whether you are more attracted to the secrets of Great Moravia, the folk wisdom of Slováck or the modern architecture of Bohuslav Fuchs, believe me, you will leave with new impressions and a deeper understanding of this beautiful region.

I wish you a pleasant and inspiring tour. We look forward to your visit and hope that you will return to us in the future, because the history of the Slovakian Museum is written every day with your presence. See you in the halls of the museum.