In the years 1910–1911 Jaroměř saw the construction of a unique department store by A. Wenke and Son, the so-called Wenke house. The company was founded in 1882 and initially dealt with the production of very original shell merchandise and decorative packaging. Over time, it expanded operations to include the sale of haberdashery, footwear and household goods. The Wenke family department store existed until 1938. Since 1947, the building has been the seat of the Municipal Museum and Gallery. In 2017, the facility was declared a national monument of culture.

The new interactive permanent exhibition includes several parts. The large hall on the ground floor evokes a period department store. There is a rich collection of the company’s original goods. The “auto-moto” room, addressed primarily to children, also contains information about the history of the department store’s automotive section.

The former store office houses “The boss’s office” exhibition. That is continued is the “paper workshop”, where visitors can make a replica of Wenke’s decorative boxes. The lounge of this part of the exhibition provides an interactive presentation of the “Via Fabrilis”. Fragments of the collections of partner museums in Bolesławiec and Kłodzko are the highlights there.

Municipal Museum in Jaroměř – Permanent historical exhibition in Josefov

Riegrovo nám. 8, Josefov

551 01 Jaroměř

opening hours:

Saturdays and Sundays, holidays: 10:00 – 16:00 (April – September)

Tuesday – Sunday and holidays 10:00 – 16:00 (May – June)

Tuesday – Sunday and holidays 10:00 – 17:00 (July – August)

The permanent historical exhibition is located on the second floor of the former supply office of the Josefov Fortress. The office building was built in 1788.

The exhibition presents the historical development of Jaroměř as a town of Czech queens, as well as the rise and development of the Josefov Fortress. It includes many unique exhibits: a six-meter wooden boat from the 11th century, models of fortress gates, a rich collection of military items, Baroque and folk sculptures, as well as products made by Russian war prisoners from the First World War. The lives of our ancestors are reflected in painted folk furniture, portraits, as well as paintings and drawings depicting those parts of Jaroměř and Josefov that do not exist any longer.