Sušice was home to the Solo Sušice match factory, which operated for over 150 years and was the largest of its kind in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The museum's large mechanical nativity scene was created in the early 20th century by local craftsmen and is built primarily from wood and paper.
The museum is located within a 17th-century Capuchin monastery founded by the House of Švihovský of Rýzmberk.
The collection includes specialized historical tools used in the traditional 'gold panning' process once common along the Otava River.
The museum features a rare collection of glass products representing the historical glassmaking industry of the Bohemian Forest.
The Sušice Museum of Šumava is housed in a former Capuchin monastery situated in the historic center of Sušice. The museum is renowned for its massive mechanical Christmas nativity scene, which contains over 150 moving figures. The permanent exhibition details the historical production of matches in Sušice, once a global center for the industry. Visitors can explore the geological and natural history of the Šumava mountain range, including local mineralogy and forestry displays. The museum grounds include the restored Church of St. Felix, which serves as an exhibition space. It documents the socio-economic development of the Otava river region through historical artifacts and traditional crafts. The building complex features preserved Baroque architectural elements and courtyards. The exhibits are curated to highlight the cultural heritage of both Czech and German inhabitants of the region.
The central courtyard of the monastery offers the best architectural perspective and lighting.
Check the museum's schedule for live demonstrations or guided tours of the mechanical nativity scene, which are often scheduled at specific intervals.
Explore the adjacent monastery garden for a quiet view of the historic town fortifications.
Combine your visit with a walk to the nearby Svatobor hill viewpoint for a full perspective of the Šumava landscape.
Do not rush through the nativity scene display; it takes several minutes for the full cycle of the mechanical figures to complete.
Typically closed on Mondays.
