Explore the Beneš Family Villa in Sezimovo Ústí!

The visitor circuit, operational since 2023, begins at the Dr. Edvard Beneš Memorial. It is connected by a pleasant walk through the nearby park leading to the Beneš family villa. By using an audio guide, which you can rent, you will hear fascinating information about the presidential couple, the history of the villa and its environment, as well as details about the exhibits and other noteworthy facts. There is no need to book your visit to the Beneš Villa ahead of time; you can simply buy a ticket at the Memorial’s ticket office.

Villa in Sezimovo Usti was built by Edvard Beneš (1884-1948), a politician and ally of T. G. Masaryk, between 1930 and 1931 at the confluence of the Lužnice River and Kozský Brook. The area was known as Pulpit because, according to local legends, Jan Hus addressed his followers from its summit. Designed by architect Petr Kropáček, the house was intended to reflect the style of rural homes in the south of France. After Edvard Beneš was elected President of the Czechoslovak Republic in December 1935, the villa served as a presidential residence, which helped boost the development of Sezimovo Ústí. After World War II, the Beneš family returned and lived here after Edvard Beneš’s abdication in February 1948. Edvard Beneš chose the beloved garden as his eternal resting place, and his coffin was laid to rest in September 1948. Hana Benešová continued to utilize the villa until her passing in 1974; during her life, the President’s tomb was accessible to the public.

Hannah’s Unfulfilled Wish

Before her death in 1974, Hana Benešová entrusted the villa along with its grounds and inventory to the Hussite Museum in Tábor, requesting that a memorial be established and that the Beneš family tomb be open to the public. Regrettably, neither of these wishes was realized. The villa was primarily used for recreation by government officials, and only the study and bedroom were accessible for visits a few times a year. The gate leading to the garden remained closed to the public until March 1990. Finally, in May 2005, the wishes of the Beneš family were honored with the opening of a memorial park near the villa dedicated to Edvard Beneš’s legacy as well as the family’s life in Sezimovo Ústí. The villa itself was opened to visitors again in May 2009.

Visiting the President

Explore the common rooms on the ground floor, which have been restored to their authentic 1930s style. In the wing that faces the Lužnice River, you will discover the dining room, study, and bedroom. The interiors are decorated with antique furnishings and period pieces that once belonged to the Beneš family. Your guided tour will also include a stroll through the garden and park, featuring Čapek’s well, a large alpine garden, several gazebos, and a pergola. The visit concludes with a stop at the Beneš family tomb, and naturally, you can also visit the Edvard Beneš Memorial located at the bottom of the garden.

The villa and the memorial are open during the summer season from May to September, every Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The exhibition at the Memorial features an original film program dedicated to the statesmanship and democratic legacy of the second Czechoslovak president, as well as the family life of Edvard and Hana Beneš in the villa at Sezimovo Ústí. Visitors can watch nine documentary films on a large screen, selecting their preferred topics. The Dr. Edvard Beneš Memorial in Sezimovo Ústí was established by the Hussite Museum in Tábor, as part of the Czech Government’s initiative to restore memorials honoring freedom struggles, independence, and democracy, and it was inaugurated in 2005. In 2018, the entire exhibition was completely revamped. The films explore Dr. Edvard Beneš’s biography and his political and social activities, including segments about life in the Sezimovo Ústí villa, as well as a documentary on the historical significance of Sezimovo Ústí and the local archaeological excavations.

Explore Beneš Villa & Dr. Edvard Beneš Memorial

Discover the history and family life of Czechoslovakia’s president in Sezimovo Ústí.

Visiting Season & Hours

Open from May through September
Accessible Tuesday to Sunday
Daily hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Admission

No advance reservations required
Tickets available on-site at the Memorial’s ticket office

Exhibition & Highlights

• Insight into the presidential and family life of Edvard and Hanna Beneš

• Common rooms furnished with period antiques

• Dining room, study, and private bedroom

• Beautiful surrounding gardens featuring Čapek’s well

Architecture & Historical Significance

• Designed by architect Petr Kropáček in a distinctive style

• Became President Beneš’s residence after his inauguration, spurring local growth

• Bequeathed to the Hussite Museum in 1974; served as a government retreat until reopening to the public in May 2009