The Porcelain Museum in Klášterec nad Ohří is a hidden gem for anyone who loves fine craftsmanship and history — housed in a stunning castle, it holds one of Central Europe's most important porcelain collections, ranked right after Dresden, Berlin, and Vienna. It's a perfect addition to a hiking trip through the region, especially on a rainy day.

The castle itself, with its beautifully restored Renaissance interiors, feels like stepping back in time. Wandering through its halls, you get lovely glimpses of the surrounding castle park and the gentle hills of the Ore Mountains beyond. In summer the park bursts with greenery, while in winter the castle takes on an almost fairy-tale atmosphere against the crisp countryside.

How to get there

• Klášterec nad Ohří town centre — short walk from the train station or parking, a few minutes, easy
• The museum is located directly inside the castle building, easily reached from the main square

Practical information

• The exhibition presents European, especially Czech, porcelain from the collections of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague
• The collection includes approximately 12,000 exhibits
• The museum was established in 1954 to mark the 140th anniversary of the Thun porcelain factory
• The Klášterec porcelain factory, founded in 1794, is the third oldest and second still-operating porcelain manufacturer in the Czech Republic

Interesting fact: the Thun-Hohenstein family's own porcelain collection is not displayed here — after 1945 it was confiscated and transferred to the National Museum in Prague.