Husitské muzeum

Hussite Museum


Useful Information

Location:  
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Open: Tue-Sun 8:30-17. Hourly tours of the underground passages (podzemi).
Fee:
Classification: SubterraneaCellar
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
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Address: Husitské muzeum, Žižkovo náměstí 2, 39001 Tábor, Tel.: 381 252 242, Fax: 381 252 245. E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History


Description

The Husitské muzeum v Táboře (Hussite Museum in Tábor) is located in the late Gothic Tábor Town Hall. It is dedicated to the Hussites, the members of the Hussite movement. This was a group of protestants who followed the priest Jan Hus and were named after him. The regular church, which is today called the catholic church, and the secular rulers fought against such reforms, in order to protect their way of life. the results were uprisings and battles, and the pursuit of Hussites all over Europe.

On the ground floor of the town hall is an entrance to a network of underground tunnels. This labyrinth is a result of the connection of the cellars of burgher houses. During the 16th century they were used as a hideout, when the town was attacked by enemies. As cellars they were also used to store food and drink, which came in handy during raids. The tunnels open to the public run below Žižka Square for a lenth of some 800 m.

In the basement there is a huge series of underground passages. These were used to store beer barrels, but at other times they served as a refuge from fire and siege and as the town's prison.


Text by Tony Oldham (2002). With kind permission.