Delicia harmonicas and accordions from Hořovice: Year of the Accordion 2026

The harmonica and accordion are musical instruments that have shaped the soundscape of the Czech Republic for generations – from folk festivals to large concerts. Their unique sound, complex construction and wide range of uses continue to fascinate both musicians and listeners alike.

The first Czech manufacturer specialising in the production of harmonicas, accordions and heligonkas is located in Hořovice. This company, Delicia, was founded in 1920 by Josef Kebrdl, and its instruments gained international recognition during the First Republic. Traditional handcrafting, which emphasises precision and detail, is still practised here today. Most of the components are made by the craftsmen in Hořovice themselves, including metal parts, bellows, wooden bodies and celluloid covers. This gives them full control over the quality of all their musical instruments. Musicians can choose from a wide range of ready-made models or have an accordion or heligonka made exactly to their specifications. Instruments from Hořovice are popular with players all over the world, and thanks to them, the well-known saying “every Czech is a musician” continues to be true.

The story of Hořovice accordions

The history of accordion production in Hořovice began in 1920, when Josef Kebrdle returned from his studies in Vienna and began to devote himself to their manufacture. Initially, he produced parts of accordions in his family home, which were then sent to other places for completion. A few years later, he was already employing about forty people, and the musical instruments, which were in great demand, began to be manufactured entirely in Hořovice. After his untimely death, his brothers took over production, but the Kebrdle brand disappeared with nationalisation, and the instruments were then given the name Lignatone. Accordions from Hořovice began to be manufactured under the Delicia brand in 1963.

The current owner of the company, Mrs. Stanislava Koutná, devotes the same care and love to running the company as Mr. Kebrdle certainly did. Thanks to this, the manual production of all components has been largely preserved, and 90% of the materials used come from the Czech Republic. If foreign materials are used, they come from Germany or Italy. Delicia accordions and Hlaváček heligonkas are exported from the Hořovice factory all over the world.

The German number one right on the border

The harmonica, or more correctly the accordion, is a relatively new instrument. Let’s start from the very beginning, specifically with Friedrich Buschmann, who was the first to start manufacturing accordions in Berlin in 1822. At that time, he called this instrument the “Handäoline”. At the same time, the Viennese instrument maker Cyrill Demian also began to devote himself to harmonicas, patenting the accordion in Vienna in 1829.

Harmonica lovers around the world are certainly familiar with the German harmonica brand Weltmeister. This brand is associated with the Saxon town of Klingenthal, which is located very close to the Czech border, specifically a short distance from the town of Kraslice in the Ore Mountains. This area has a long tradition of musical instrument manufacturing. On the Czech side, string instruments were manufactured from 1829, followed by wind instruments after 1945. On the German side of the mountains, accordions have been manufactured since 1852. It is therefore even older than another important German accordion manufacturer, Hohner, based in Trossingen (in Baden-Württemberg), where famous harmonicas have been manufactured “only” since 1857.

Accordion production in Klingenthal began in 1852 when Adolph Herold brought an accordion from Magdeburg. At that time, the accordion was a simpler instrument, very similar to a harmonica, and its production was not as complex as it is today. Over time, manufacturers developed more complex models of harmonicas, and a major development took place in the 20th century. The accordion evolved into its modern appearance in the 1960s. It is also interesting to note that there is an accordion museum in Klingenthal, including the “Schaumanufaktur Akkordeonbau” workshop, which can be found at Falkensteiner Straße 31.

The Hořovice heligonka and the century-old Delicia

Let’s return to Hořovice in Central Bohemia. The origins of the tradition of accordion production date back to 1866, when Mr Slavík began manufacturing accordions here. Later, this production was taken over by the aforementioned Mr Josef Kebrdle, who founded his famous accordion factory in Hořovice in 1920.

In August, this town, which has attracted worldwide attention thanks to our accordions and heligonkas, hosts the annual Hořovická heligonka music festival. Amateur heligonka players from all over the Czech Republic and popular accordion groups perform at this festival. The festival often features an exhibition of old and new models of Delicia accordions, guided tours of the accordion and heligonka production facilities, and visitors can try out new instruments and learn about the latest developments in the world of music.

Where do accordion players meet?

• • The largest accordion museum is located in Litovel. Here you can see hundreds of different instruments, including keyboard and button accordions and heligonkas, which come from many Czech manufacturers, as well as unique accordions.

• • Near Klatovy, in the village of Čepice, an accordionists’ meeting is held every year in July.

• • Every August, the Friends of the Accordion Association organises the Kutná Hora Accordion Week in Kutná Hora, offering accordion courses and an international music festival.

• • For more than 15 years, accordionists have been meeting in Březová in September.

• • The traditional St. Wenceslas Meeting of Accordionists and Heligonka Players takes place in the spa town of Luhačovice, specifically at the Rybářská chata (Fisherman’s Cottage).

• • Another major annual event is the Accordionists’ Meeting in Strání, which takes place during the feast of St. Catherine at the end of November.

• • A gathering of accordion players is also held in Zbytiny in the Šumava Mountains every November.