There are places we visit to see historic monuments. And then there are those that allow us to truly experience what life was like for people several decades or even centuries ago. Veselý Kopec (Happy Hill), located near Hlinsko in the Czech Republic, definitely belongs to the latter category.

Wooden cottages, barns, mills, workshops and small farm buildings are scattered across the gentle hills of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. They are not, however, a random collection of buildings. The entire open-air museum has been designed to present a traditional village from the region – its architecture, farming methods, everyday activities and festive customs.

Veselý Kopec is part of the Vysočina Museum in Nature and is one of the most interesting open-air museums in the Czech Republic. Importantly, this is not simply a museum where you look at exhibits from behind glass. Many of the buildings feature fully furnished interiors, while special events offer an opportunity to see traditional crafts, food preparation and old customs and celebrations.

This is where you can discover what everyday life was like for small-scale farmers from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century, while also learning about one of the fascinating elements of Czech intangible cultural heritage – the Hlinecko Shrovetide processions, which are inscribed on the UNESCO list and which we will return to at the end.

Veselý Kopec – where is the open-air museum?

Veselý Kopec is located in the Czech Republic, in the Pardubice Region, near the town of Hlinsko. The open-air museum lies on the border between the Žďár Hills and the Iron Mountains, surrounded by a very picturesque, gently rolling landscape.

The address of the open-air museum is Veselý Kopec, 539 01 Hlinsko. Administratively, it is part of the Vysočina Museum in Nature, which also manages the historic Betlém district in Hlinsko and the exhibition in Svobodné Hamry. Don’t let the museum’s name confuse you – the Vysočina Region, which shares its name with the museum, is located in a different part of the country.

The location is one of the site’s major advantages. You won’t find a typical museum here, tucked away in a city centre. Instead, the buildings stand among greenery, fields and gentle hills, making a walk here feel like stepping into a traditional Czech village from the past.

How to get to Veselý Kopec?

The most convenient way to get here is by car. The open-air museum is located near Hlinsko, and you can easily combine your visit with a trip to the town itself and its historic Betlém district.

If you are travelling by car from Poland, a good idea is to combine Veselý Kopec with other attractions in Eastern Czechia. The region is particularly interesting for those who enjoy small towns, industrial heritage, folk architecture and less obvious destinations. It is worth allowing around 1.5 hours for a visit to the open-air museum, although you can spend considerably more time here during special events. The museum’s official website estimates the standard visiting time at around 90 minutes, and that is more or less how long we spent there.

There is a paid car park next to the open-air museum. A full-day ticket costs 80 CZK. There is also a small restaurant next to the car park where you can grab something to eat and have a drink.

Tickets and opening hours

In 2026, a standard admission ticket to Veselý Kopec costs 170 Czech korunas per adult. A reduced ticket for students and seniors costs 140 CZK, while children aged 6 to 15 pay 100 CZK. Children under 6 can enter free of charge. A family ticket is also available for up to two adults and four children under 15 and costs 340 CZK. On May 18, International Museum Day, Veselý Kopec can be visited free of charge as part of an individual visit.

It is worth remembering that a slightly different price list applies during special events. In 2026, a standard ticket for events and cultural programmes costs 190 CZK.

Opening hours depend on the time of year. During the summer season, from June 29 to August 31, 2026, the open-air museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. From September onwards, the schedule changes and Veselý Kopec is open from Tuesday to Sunday, usually from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.

The open-air museum is a seasonal attraction. In 2026, after the end of the autumn season, it will be closed from November 2 to 27, and then reopen briefly in early December for a special Christmas programme. Before setting off, it is worth checking the current opening hours on the museum’s website, as they may change due to events or organisational work.

The history of Veselý Kopec – how was the open-air museum created?

The history of the open-air museum is relatively recent, although the buildings we can see here have much longer histories. Veselý Kopec began to take shape in the 1970s. At that time, traditional buildings from various locations across the region began to be moved to what is now the museum site. It was a way of preserving architecture that was gradually disappearing from the landscape as Czech villages modernised.

Thanks to this approach, instead of allowing old cottages and farm buildings to be demolished, they could be preserved for future generations. Interestingly, not all of the buildings are reconstructions. The only building still standing in its original location is the Pilný homestead, or house No. 4. All the other buildings were moved here from different villages.

What to see at Veselý Kopec?

The greatest strength of the open-air museum is its diversity. During the walk, we move from one homestead to another, with each one telling a slightly different story. The wooden houses feature interiors showing the lives of small farmers from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century. The rooms have been furnished to recreate the character of the original homes as faithfully as possible.

There are kitchens, living rooms, farm buildings and workshops. We can see furniture, dishes, tools and objects that were once part of everyday life. And the word “everyday” is particularly important here. Veselý Kopec is not primarily about wealthy farmers or palace owners. Instead, it shows the daily lives of people who had to cultivate the land, process food, repair tools and make most of the things they needed themselves.

One interesting thing you can learn about at the open-air museum – and an often overlooked aspect of everyday life – is the traditional practice of repairing pots with wire. Wireworkers travelled around the area, repairing and reinforcing household vessels with wire so that they would not break and could serve their owners for longer.

Mill, sawmill and other machinery – the technical side of the open-air museum

One of the biggest surprises at Veselý Kopec is its collection of old machinery powered by water. Among them is a mill with a room dedicated to making plum jam, as well as equipment used for grinding grain. There is also a bark mill, an oil mill and a sawmill. All of these buildings are connected to the former water system and the 19th-century mill channel.

What caught my attention most was the plum jam production line (you can see it in the second photo below). The automatic “spoons” that stirred the jam to prevent it from burning were really impressive! There was also an accordion in the room, which the person looking after the process could play to pass the time, as the jam could take as long as a whole day to cook.

This is a particularly interesting part of the exhibition, especially for anyone interested in technology. Today, it is difficult to imagine just how many everyday activities once depended on water. The energy of a flowing river or stream could power machines that did the hard work for people, and at Veselý Kopec you can see this technology up close.

One of the most fascinating barns in the Czech Republic

It is also worth paying attention to the remarkable fourteen-sided barn relocated from Sádek near Polička. The building was erected in 1684 and is one of the most distinctive structures in the open-air museum. Its unusual shape alone makes it difficult to simply walk past. It is a great example of how traditional architecture could be both functional and remarkably interesting from a structural point of view.

Traditional crafts and everyday life

Veselý Kopec is also worth visiting because the museum regularly organises demonstrations of traditional crafts. The calendar includes events dedicated to pottery, processing agricultural produce, traditional food preparation and the work of farmers in the past. There are also special programmes organised for families with children.

It is during these events that Veselý Kopec truly comes alive.

Masopust at Veselý Kopec – a tradition inscribed on the UNESCO list

One of the main reasons to take an interest in Veselý Kopec is Masopust.

Czech Masopust, the period preceding Lent, is associated with many different traditions. In the Hlinsko region, however, a particularly fascinating form of this custom has survived – traditional processions of masked figures, during which villagers visit individual households.

In 2010, the Masopust processions and masks from the Hlinsko region were inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. UNESCO protects the specific tradition, while Veselý Kopec is one of the places where you can see and learn about it.

During the ceremony, a group of people wearing distinctive masks makes its way through the village. The procession is accompanied by music, while dances are performed at individual households. UNESCO emphasises that the tradition is important not only as a spectacle, but also as a way of strengthening bonds within the local community. Preparations involve different generations, while children and young people take part, among other things, in making the traditional masks.

Masopust is organised here as a special event that attracts visitors not only from the surrounding area, but also from across the Czech Republic and from abroad. It is one of those days when Veselý Kopec truly comes alive.

If you are interested in Czech folk culture, it is worth planning your trip to coincide with one of these events. You can not only see the historic buildings, but, above all, experience a tradition that is still actively practised today.

You can read more about Masopust traditions in the Czech Republic in the article – Masopust.

Veselý Kopec with children – is it worth it?

Definitely. The open-air museum is one of those attractions that can be more engaging for children than a traditional museum. The visit takes place outdoors, among wooden houses, mills and farmsteads. The museum also organises special family programmes and workshops. It is worth remembering, however, that Veselý Kopec is located in a hilly area. Comfortable shoes are definitely a good idea.

What Else Is There to See in the Area?

A visit to Veselý Kopec can very easily be combined with other attractions. The most natural addition is Hlinsko and the historic Betlém district located there. It is a unique collection of wooden houses standing in the centre of the town. The first buildings in this area were documented as early as the 18th century, and at the end of the 20th century, efforts were made to save it from complete destruction.

It is also worth visiting Svobodné Hamry, home to a historic water-powered forge hammer. The museum organises demonstrations of the machinery in operation, among other events. This makes it possible to plan an entire day devoted to traditional architecture, technology and the culture of the Czech countryside.

Is It Worth Visiting?

Yes – especially if you enjoy open-air museums, small towns and places that show what everyday life was like for people in the past.

Veselý Kopec is not a huge museum that requires an entire day to explore. Its greatest strengths are its intimate atmosphere and the excellent combination of architecture and landscape. You can see traditional wooden houses, look inside them, discover old tools, see water-powered machinery in operation and, during special events, watch craftspeople at work and experience traditional customs.

Veselý Kopec is one of those Czech open-air museums that is definitely worth adding to your list of places to visit. Not only because it brings together dozens of interesting examples of traditional architecture, but above all because the entire site creates a coherent story about life in the Czech countryside in the past.

Another advantage is its picturesque setting. Visiting the museum does not mean walking through enclosed exhibition halls, but rather taking a stroll through a green, hilly landscape. This makes Veselý Kopec at once a museum, a tourist attraction and a pleasant place to spend a few relaxing hours.

If you are in the Hlinsko area, it is definitely worth stopping here. And if you can plan your visit to coincide with one of the traditional events, especially Masopust, it will be an even more interesting experience.

Veselý Kopec shows much more than just old houses. It presents a way of life, work and celebration that shaped the Czech countryside for generations. And that is precisely why it is a place worth visiting more than once.

Veselý Kopec – Practical Information at a Glance

Where? Veselý Kopec near Hlinsko, Pardubice Region, Czech Republic.

How long does a visit take? Around 90 minutes for an individual visit.

Standard ticket 2026: CZK 170.

Reduced ticket: CZK 140.

Children aged 6–15: CZK 100.

Children under 6: Free.

Family ticket: CZK 340.

Free admission: Including 18 May – International Museum Day, for individual visits.

Summer opening hours 2026: Daily, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., from 29 June to 31 August.

Who is it for? Families, history enthusiasts, fans of folk architecture, technology, photography and Czech traditions.