461 723 855

The Birth Room of Bohuslav Martinů

A small place with a grand view
What was life like in a small room with a magical view?

Obrázek v záhlaví

O objektu

Unique, romantic, although for ordinary life a tad impractical – a quaint apartment in the tower of the St. James’ Church in Polička is intrinsically connected with the name of a famous composer, Bohuslav Martinů. Ascend to the tower gallery, admire the breathtaking view and explore the town from unusual viewpoint. You will learn about the life high above the town, about the roots of the Martinů family and listen the stories from the childhood of one of the most eminent Czech composers of the 20th century. Discover the place where musical uniqueness was born.

Provozní informace

The tower apartment can be visited only as a part of a guided tour. The tickets are available for purchase in the Museum, Šaffova ulice. The tour lasts for 45-60 minutes.

Maximum size of a group is 25 people. Individuals and groups are advised to book the tour either by phoning to 461 723 855, or writing to muzeum@muzeum.policka.org.

During the inclement weather, storm or frost/black ice the entry to the tower is prohibited. Tours are also suspended during the services at the St. James’ Church.

O objektu podrobněji

The tower offers a beautiful views of the town and of the surrounding countryside. From the respectable hight of 36 metres you can survey not only the town square with its baroque Town Hall but also the whole ring of the town’s fortification. This view was also enjoyed by young Bohuslav Martinů.

Bohuslav Martinů was born in the tower apartment 8th December 1890 and lived here with two siblings and his parents until he was eleven years old. The apartment looks like the family just went out for a spot of shopping. Discover why the family lived here in the first place and what was it like to live, work, cook, wash… on 22 m2!

The ascent can be achieved by anyone with an average physical fitness. You will encounter 192 steps and sometimes narrow and twisting spaces; however, the view from the top is magnificent. Will you take up the challenge?

Immerse yourself in the genius loci of this unique place.

The tower’s atmosphere made an indelible mark on the mind of the future composer. In 1934 he wrote, “…I think that that space is one of the greatest impressions from my childhood, the one that I have the greatest awareness of and which has had the greatest impact on my whole view of composition. It weren’t the small interests of people, their worries, pains or delights which I witnessed from a great distance, or rather height. It is that space, which I can constantly see in my mind and which, as it seems, I am invariably looking for in my works…”

During the guided tour you will learn about the childhood and teenage years of the famous composer, hear a plethora of information about the St. James’ Church and admire the church bells in the belfry.

Fotogalerie