Jan and Meda Mládek, the husband and wife founders from Poland and then-Czechoslovakia, began collecting local art in the late 1960s while living abroad in the United States. Artists were struggling to create and sell their work under the Communist rule of the time. The moderately-sized museum was converted from a former mill and opened in 2003. The Mládek’s personal collection is displayed alongside Central European artists from the later-half of the 20th century. The museum is dedicated to showcasing artistic expression created during the difficult times of struggle and oppression that dominated the region leading up to the turn of the century.
Time Out tip: Get a good, up-close look at the penguins lining the river and compare the view of their glowing silhouettes from the opposite side of the river later that night.
Nearby:
Devil’s Stream: For a15th-century mill guarded by a water goblin
U Modre Kachničky: For traditional Czech cuisine served in cozy elegance
Kavarna Mlynska: For a casual café and pub frequented by art-loving locals