Nové Strašecí is a small Czech town that hides a genuine surprise for history lovers and hikers exploring the Rakovník region - the Nové Strašecí Museum, a branch of the T.G.M. Museum in Rakovník. It's the perfect spot to pause during a day of hiking and dive into the story of the Celts and traditional rural life in the Novostrašecko area.

The museum sits right next to the Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, housed in a former school building, which gives the whole area a charming historical feel. Wandering through the town lets you soak up the atmosphere of a small Czech settlement, and a museum visit pairs nicely with a day spent on the trails around Rakovník - especially in autumn and winter, when the weather favors indoor exploring over long hikes.

• Nové Strašecí town center — U Školy street 123, a few minutes' walk from the main square, easy route
• The museum stands directly beside the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, making it easy to spot while strolling through town

• The permanent exhibition Celts in the Rakovník Region features a unique find - a stone head from Mšecké Žehrovice
• The Rural Farmstead of Novostrašecko exhibition displays everyday objects from the 19th and 20th centuries
• The museum houses a library and study room with over 7,100 books and periodicals on regional topics

The star exhibit is a Celtic stone head from Mšecké Žehrovice, found broken into four pieces in 1943 - one of the most significant Celtic artifacts in Europe.