The Birth Apartament of Bohuslav Martinů

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

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

Immerse yourself in the genius loci of this unique place.

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

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 I have the greatest awareness of and which has had the greatest impact on my whole view of composition. It wasn’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 wealth of information about the St. James’ Church and admire the church bells in the belfry.