Museum of Central Otava Region (Strakonice)

Museum of Central Otava Region of Strakonice is a contributory organisation of the South Bohemian Region. It has a seat in the premises of the Strakonice castle founded by the noble family of Bavor of Strakonice at the confluence of the Otava and Volyňka rivers in the 1st quarter of the 13th century. Thanks to the level of preservedness the castle is one of the oldest and largest castles in Bohemia and in 1995 it was declared National Cultural Monument by the Ministry of Culture.

Museum expositions are located in the castle palace in the southern part of the castle. Eleven halls house exhibits presenting the history of the region from prehistory through the Middle Ages to the second half of the 20th century. Outstanding expositions include bagpipes and bagpipers in Bohemia, motorcycles and other items of the legendary CZ brand or the exposition presenting the noble family of Rožmberk and Maltese Order in the Strakonice region. A great attraction is also the castle tower of Rumpál offering a magnificent view, Capitular Hall with Cloister and preserved frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries, newly restored Black Kitchen and also the Natural Cultural Monument of a medieval watermill in Hoslovice with a functioning milling device and a new ethnographic exposition entitled “Life at Šumava Podlesí”. The museum has been operating this unique preserved technical monument since 2005 and it holds interesting cultural and handicraft events there from April to October, including traditional bread baking.

Apart from permanent exhibitions and cultural events the museum also holds a number of fine art and specialized exhibitions during the season. Favourite exhibitions include for example the Easter and Christmas exhibition.