Bedřich Smetana's
Birthplace
The new exhibition at the castle
brewery in Litomyšl.
Opening of the new exhibition 9. June
The birthplace of Bedřich Smetana will open to the public for the first time after a general reconstruction on Sunday 9. June 2024. On this day it is going to be open only to pre-booked visitors. Reservations can be made at the link on the right.
In the following days it will be open to everyone according to the standard opening hours.
Exhibition
The new exhibition at the castle brewery in Litomyšl, where the most famous Czech composer, Bedřich Smetana, was born in 1824.
Authentic Interiors
The exhibition is located in the actual spaces of the brewer’s apartment.
Multimedia Exhibit
The installation portraying the domestic period environment adjoins a multimedia exhibit.
Bedřich Smetana’s Life and Work
Learn about the world-renowned composer’s life circumstances as well as his most famous works.
Bedřich
Smetana
2. 3. 1824 – 12. 5. 1884
the composer was born on March 2, 1824 into the family renting the castle brewery in Litomyšl
as a virtuoso pianist, he performed for the first time in public at six years old
with his work, he laid the foundations for modern Czech music and raised it to a level comparable to that of the surrounding world
he composed eight operas and many piano, chamber, choral, and orchestral compositions
the Czech public adopted his original style as its national musical style during his lifetime
Bedřich
Smetana
2. 3. 1824
– 12. 5. 1884
the composer was born on March 2, 1824 into the family renting the castle brewery in Litomyšl
as a virtuoso pianist, he performed for the first time in public at six years old
with his work, he laid the foundations for modern Czech music and raised it to a level comparable to that of the surrounding world
he composed eight operas and many piano, chamber, choral, and orchestral compositions
the Czech public adopted his original style as its national musical style during his lifetime
Visitor Information
Opening Hours
11 JUNE 2024 – SEPTEMBER
Tue–Sun: 9 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 5 pm
OCTOBER to DECEMBER
Tue–Sun: 9 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 5 pm
Admission
BASIC 80 CZK
DISCOUNTED 60 CZK
(children between 6 and 15, secondary school and university students who can present a student card, senior citizens over 65, ZTP card holders, holders of the Bohemian-Moravian Borderlands Bonus card, SENIOR PAS card holders)
Where to Find Us
Bedřich Smetana’s Birthplace
Jiráskova 133 (Castle Brewery), 570 01 Litomyšl
The Birthplace is on the ground floor of the former castle brewery inside the Litomyšl Castle complex. It is accessible from the first castle courtyard.
Smetana in Litomyšl
The Castle
Antonín of Valdštejn began his ownership of the Renaissance castle in 1825. Young Bedřich was very much a favorite in his family and played the piano for enthusiastic high-born ladies at the countess's salon. This piano is a Viennese brand. Leschen is part of the castle exhibition and is located on its original site.
The Castle Brewery
Like the castle, the brewery was built by the Pernštejn family during the Renaissance in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the autumn of 1823, the Valdštejns leased the castle's brewery to František Smetana. He lived in the staff apartment with his family, and Bedřich Smetana was born here on March 2, 1824. Bedřich Smetana was born.
Museum
The regional museum is located in the building of the former Piarist schools, where young Bedřich entered first grade in 1829. The museum now boats a beautiful 1912 memorial plaque to the composer as well as a standing clock that was among his possessions.
Smetana Square
At nearly 500 meters long, the main square in Litomyšl is the third longest square in the Czech Republic – after Wenceslas and Charles Squares in Prague. Since the Middle Ages, it has been encircled by its famous arcades. As early as 1457, we have an account stating that it was built "so that in times of rainy inclemency, everyone could walk wherever they wanted, around the town and dry."
The Manor House
In 1825, the Smetanas purchased the grandest house on what is now Smetana Square (No. 61) from the lord of the castle, Antonín of Valdštejn. Their relatives moved in to this residence. Bedřich and his siblings lived here for a short while in 1831 before they moved to Jindřichův Hradec.
Bedřich Smetana Monument
This bronze statue of the composer by Jan Štursa was unveiled on Smetana Square in 1924. At that time, during the grand celebrations of the centenary of the composer's birth in Litomyšl, Emmy Destinn sang, the Czech Philharmonic performed My country, and the National Theater put on Libuše.
Smetana House
A cultural center with a large concert hall, it was built in 1905 in a neo-historical style with Secession elements. The Karlov Pub was forced to give way for the building. The public room of this pub was where Bedřich made his first appearance as a pianist in 1830. At the time, the young genius was barely six years old.
Smetana Footbridge
A footbridge over the city's throughway was built in 2022 according to a design by the architectural office of EHL & KOUMAR ARCHITEKTI. It offers tourists a vantage point of Litomyšl's historical center. In 2023, the footbridge entered the Grand Prix of Architects competition, winning in the category of Urbanism.
Bedřich Smetana School of Music and Arts
The school was founded in 1946 "after years of oppression and spiritual darkness, during which, however, Smetana's genius – with the strength of his moral legacy – did not abandon us," as was written in the contemporary press. The school instructs its students in the fields of music, the visual arts, dance, and drama.
The Castle
Antonín of Valdštejn began his ownership of the Renaissance castle in 1825. Young Bedřich was very much a favorite in his family and played the piano for enthusiastic high-born ladies at the countess’s salon.
This piano by the Viennese company Leschen is part of the castle exhibition and has been returned to its original location.
The Castle Brewery – The site of Bedřich Smetana’s Birthplace
Like the castle, the brewery was built by the Pernštejn family during the Renaissance in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the autumn of 1823, the Valdštejns leased the castle brewery to František Smetana. He lived in the staff apartment with his family, and Bedřich Smetana was born here on March 2, 1824.
Museum
The regional museum is located in the building of the former Piarist schools, where young Bedřich entered first grade in 1829. The museum now boats a beautiful 1912 memorial plaque to the composer as well as a standing clock that was among his possessions.
Smetana Square
At nearly 500 meters long, the main square in Litomyšl is the third longest square in the Czech Republic – after Wenceslas and Charles Squares in Prague. Since the Middle Ages, it has been encircled by its famous arcades. As early as 1457, we have an account stating that it was built “so that in times of rainy inclemency, everyone could walk wherever they wanted, around the town and dry.”
The Manor House
In 1825, the Smetanas purchased the grandest house on what is now Smetana Square (No. 61) from the lord of the castle, Antonín of Valdštejn. Their relatives moved in to this residence. Bedřich and his siblings lived here for a short while in 1831 before they moved to Jindřichův Hradec.
Bedřich Smetana Memorial
This bronze statue of the composer by Jan Štursa was unveiled on Smetana Square in 1924. At that time, during the grand celebrations of the centenary of the composer’s birth in Litomyšl, Emmy Destinn sang, the Czech Philharmonic performed My country, and the National Theater put on Libuše.
Smetana House
A cultural center with a large concert hall, it was built in 1905 in a neo-historical style with Secession elements. The Karlov Pub was forced to give way for the building. The public room of this pub was where Bedřich made his first appearance as a pianist in 1830. At the time, the young genius was barely six years old.
Smetana Footbridge
A footbridge over the city’s throughway was built in 2022 according to a design by the architectural office of EHL & KOUMAR ARCHITEKTI. It offers tourists a vantage point of Litomyšl’s historical center. In 2023, the footbridge entered the Grand Prix of Architects competition, winning in the category of Urbanism.
Bedřich Smetana School of Music and Arts
The school was founded in 1946 “after years of oppression and spiritual darkness, during which, however, Smetana’s genius – with the strength of his moral legacy – did not abandon us,” as was written in the contemporary press. The school instructs its students in the fields of music, the visual arts, dance, and drama.
The Smetana's Litomyšl National Festival
The festival originated in 1946 – it is the second oldest and also the second largest classical music festival in the Czech Republic. Its main program consists of opera performances and concerts of various genres. Litomyšl’s castle is the center of the festival activities.
Smetana's Creative Litomyšl
Each year, dozens of summertime exhibitions and installations in public spaces complement the program of the Smetana’s Litomyšl music festival. Exhibitions are organized by public and private institutions using both interior and exterior spaces in many sites around Litomyšl and the surrounding area.
Young Smetana Litomyšl
This festival, organized by the association Hudební mládež (Musical Youth), offers concerts, dance and theater performances, parties, and literary readings. Young people interested in culture come to Litomyšl from all corners of the country. Most events take place at Smetana House.
More from Litomyšl’s Museum
Portmoneum – Museum of Josef Váchal
A unique memorial of European importance with painted murals by Josef Váchal. www.portmoneum.cz
The Museum – The main building
An exhibition on Litomyšl’s rich history, including a children’s program and seasonal exhibits.
www.rml.cz
