Wallachian Open Air Museum, Czechia
We visited Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, a charming town located in the heart of Moravian Wallachia, approximately 60 km south of the Polish-Czech border. The town is most famous for its remarkable and exceptionally vast open-air museum, known in Czech as "Valašské muzeum v přírodě" (The Wallachian Open-Air Museum). This unique cultural institution is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the heritage of the Wallachian people. The Wallachs were a pastoral community with roots in the southern Carpathians of Romania. In search of new pastures and influenced by political pressures, they migrated north and settled in the mountainous regions of Moravia, where they developed their own distinct culture, traditions, and architectural style, which are now beautifully preserved for visitors to explore.
Parking lot nearby the museum
The open air museum has its own, spacious parking lot where you should leave the car (1; GPS: 49.464421, 18.155887). At the entrance to the parking lot you must take a ticket, which will then be used when paying at departure. During our stay there was only an automatic cash register. We are not sure if it was possible to pay by a card, so you should be prepared to have enough amount of Czech currency. We paid 70 CZK for parking lot, but prices may obviously change.
The ample parking space is a major benefit, as it eliminates the stress of searching for a spot in the town center. The system is straightforward, providing a hassle-free start to your day at the museum. The proximity of the parking lot to the main entrance ensures that you can begin your tour almost immediately after parking, without a long walk.
The ticket prices
The open-air museum consists of several adjacent areas:
- Dřevěné městečko (The Wooden Townlet),
- Mlýnská dolina (The Water Mill Valley),
- Valašská dědina (The Wallachian Village).
We were in the open-air museum exactly in the first April, that is, at off-season (off-season months are November, December and January to April inclusive). This means that it was not possible to explore the interiors of buildings. Instead, a discount coupon was available, allowing you to visit the water mill valley and the Wallachian village for only 60 CZK (reduced ticket only 30 CZK). It was very good news for us because we wanted to go above and beyond, and the weather for the first April was excellent. In the high season prices are respectively higher, but of course it allows you to explore the interiors. More details on the external website (note: only in Czech language!).
Visiting during the off-season offers a different, more serene experience, with fewer crowds and more opportunities for quiet strolls through the exhibits. The ability to explore the exteriors of the buildings and the vast grounds is still a rewarding experience. It is worth noting that during the high season, the museum comes alive with demonstrations of traditional crafts, folk performances, and more, making a visit during that time a more dynamic and interactive experience.
Our tour
We bought the tickets in the main building (A; GPS: 49.461472, 18.149210) and then went through another door leading to the open-air museum. One path led right up the hill towards Wallachian village; we left it for later, and now we went straight to the water mill valley. In fact, in the center of this area we found a big, interesting water mill (B; GPS: 49.462615, 18.152808). We think that during the high season the water actually flows through the designated channels and drives the water wheels. At the time when we were in the open air museum, unfortunately no mechanical equipment was launched.
The Water Mill Valley section is home to a collection of historic mills, forges, and other traditional workshops, showcasing the ingenuity of Wallachian craftsmen and their reliance on water power. These structures illustrate the daily life and economic activities of the region's inhabitants in the 19th century. Although the machinery was not running during our visit, the architectural details and the rustic setting still provided a rich sense of history and engineering.
After seeing the buildings in the water mill valley, we headed for the Wallachian village on the uphill path. The area of Wallachian village is really big and the tour will take 2-3 hours. There are many different buildings that can be close admired and you can even enter some spaces that are not dedicated for living (for example barns, external corridors). There is a smithy, various farming and residential buildings, a church, a draw well typical of the Pannonian steppe in Hungary (C; GPS: 49.461132, 18.154720), and at the very end of the area a beautiful windmill (D; GPS: 49.459762, 18.156408). In some buildings we find live animals such as geese, ducks and even donkeys. There are also cultural events in the Wallachian village, and there is an amphitheater that can accommodate about 800 people (E; GPS: 49.460990, 18.151034).
The Wallachian Village is designed to provide an authentic look into the daily life of a 19th-century rural community. The farmhouses, barns, and communal buildings are meticulously reconstructed to reflect the architectural style and customs of the region. The live animals and the vast, open spaces give visitors a tangible sense of the pastoral life of the Wallachian people, making it a truly immersive historical experience.
The village is also a vibrant center for cultural events, with a large amphitheater that can accommodate about 800 people (E; GPS: 49.460990, 18.151034). During the high season, this amphitheater hosts a range of folk performances, concerts, and traditional festivals that celebrate Wallachian music, dance, and traditions. These events provide a lively and engaging complement to the historical exhibits, bringing the culture to life for visitors.
Gastronomy
A visit to the open-air museum can be a full-day experience, and fortunately, there are places to eat and drink both within the museum complex and in the town of Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. The museum's main area, the Wooden Townlet, often has small stalls or traditional inns called "Hospoda" where you can try classic Wallachian cuisine. Look for regional specialties like "kyselo" (a sour rye soup), "frgál" (a large, round sweet cake with filling), and smoked cheeses.
Traditional Wallachian food is hearty and reflects the region's agricultural and pastoral heritage. Many dishes are based on potatoes, cabbage, and dairy products. You can also find local beers and slivovitz (plum brandy), which are popular regional beverages. These culinary offerings provide a delicious way to immerse yourself in the local culture and history, completing your visit with an authentic taste of Wallachia.
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