Bedřich Smetana Memorial in Jabkenice

In 1876, Bedřich Smetana, in a rather inebriated state, permanently moved to Jabkenice. He settled in the local gamekeeper’s lodge, next to a vast forest reserve, where his daughter lived with her husband, Josef. Despite the circumstances, the move proved beneficial to Smetana’s work—during his time in Jabkenice, he composed some of his most notable operas, including The Devil’s Wall, The Secret, and The Kiss.

Four years after his death, a memorial plaque was unveiled in the village, and since 1928, the gamekeeper’s lodge has served as a museum, honoring the legacy of a composer who left an indelible mark on Czech musical history.

• Interesting fact: For over 20 years, the gamekeeper’s lodge has been home to a restored theater curtain from the Jabkenice amateur troupe, painted by Smetana’s wife, Betty.

The current permanent exhibition, installed in 2003, focuses on Bedřich Smetana’s life in Jabkenice. At its heart is his study, along with a family salon where visitors can listen to his music. Both rooms preserve some original furnishings and personal belongings, the most valuable of which is Smetana’s diary.

Where to next?

The Jabkenice memorial is just one of several tributes to Bedřich Smetana in Central Bohemia. Near Mělník, in the village of Obříství, the Bedřich Smetana Memorial at Lamberk invites visitors to explore the place where the composer met his future wife, Betty, and later spent several years. Just beyond Jabkenice, on the other side of the game reserve, stands Loučeň Castle, another site closely linked to Smetana’s legacy. If you’re visiting with children, Loučeň is well worth a stop—its castle park features a unique labyrinth garden for a fun family adventure.