Explore Beneš’s Villa: Uncover the Secrets of Mrs. Hana’s Private Life
The Beneš Villa welcomes history enthusiasts to explore its interior, which now features private rooms belonging to Hana Benešová. This new addition gives visitors a peek into the private life of the Beneš family. The exhibit titled “In the private life of Mrs. Hana” showcases two rooms located in the southwest section of the villa. These rooms are closely associated with Hana Benešová’s personal life. They include a study and a private bedroom connected by a bathroom, along with another room that initially served as the bedroom for the Beneš couple and later became the maid Vilma Kulhánková’s quarters. The study’s furniture was arranged based on historical photographs and is largely preserved in the Hussite Museum’s collections in Tábor.
The second room, which was originally the bedroom of Mr. and Mrs. Beneš and later became the maid’s room, is furnished with items from other parts of the villa because no original furnishings or photos of it have survived. The choice of rooms reflects the intimate and personal atmosphere. The display includes objects housed in showcases and informal clothing worn by Hana Benešová, placed on mannequins.
Visitors can admire not only a summer silk bathrobe worn by Mrs. Hana, featuring beautiful floral embroidery inspired by Japanese designs, but also items like a linen Bulgarian-style dress that Hana wore during casual moments, such as when she was in the garden in Sezimovo Ústí. The showcase in the study highlights Hana’s personal belongings, while the displays in the second room capture the everyday life of the couple while they lived in the villa. This exhibit is particularly interesting because it includes collection items recently donated to the museum by Hana Regina Pohl, a great-niece of the Beneš family, from the United States. Visitors can also view other genuine models, accessories, and personal belongings of Hana Benešová from the National Museum’s collections, some of which are being displayed for the first time.
Tennis, skiing, swimming, and floral engraving
The Beneš family led an active lifestyle while living in Sezimovo Ústí. Edvard Beneš enjoyed playing tennis, and the couple also indulged in skiing and swimming. Mrs. Hana had a passion for gardening and flowers, evident from a displayed apron that holds various practical tools, alongside her stylish preference for wearing floral brooches on her outfits. There is even a displayed motoring hood reportedly given to Mrs. Hana by the famous Czech racer, Eliška Junková.
The Beneš Villa opens its doors from May to September, every Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It is also accessible during public holidays. The final entry to the exhibits is at 3 PM (one hour before closing). The visitor tour begins at the Memorial and leads through the nearby park to the villa, where the next part of the tour occurs inside. Guests can use an audio guide to listen to stories about the Beneš family, their lifestyle in Sezimovo Ústí, the villa’s history, as well as its furnishings. The full admission fee for adults is 100 crowns, while children and seniors pay only 60 crowns. Visitors should ensure that last tickets are purchased at least 60 minutes before closing time.
