New Škoda Museum near Prague presents proud history of Czech carmaker

Škoda cars are an undeniable source of national pride in the Czech Republic. Now, a museum has opened near Prague celebrating all things Škoda, with more than 60 vehicles on display produced throughout the history of the brand.

At Mrač, near Čerčany, Svět škodovek features a range of exhibitions, including racing models, prototypes, commercial vehicles, and Škoda production and manufacturing. The collection was built up by two private individuals over a period of more than 15 years.

In 2018 the two collectors, Tomáš Hervert and Pavel Zima, found a complex suitable for the display of their car collections. Work on the establishment of Svět škodovek began in 2019, and the museum opened on July 10, 2021. The museum’s collection of racing vehicles is the largest collection of Škoda sports cars in the world, while a range of unique prototypes and specials produced for government officials can also be seen.

The museum saw an impressive 200 visitors a day during its first month of opening. Along with the car exhibits, it features a refreshment stand, a small play area for kids, and a shop selling (of course) Škoda merchandise.

Proceeds were raised to help in the establishing of the museum through the sale of a unique Škoda Rapid 135 at auction last year. The car sold for a quarter of a million crowns, which is the highest amount paid for the particular Rapid model, from the second half of the 1980s. The car was one of 1,200 such vehicles produced, and was owned by German racer Willi Obermann. It was also the sixth most expensive Škoda ever sold through the Aukro auctioning portal.

The owners of Svět škodovek also raised funds through a crowdfunding campaign, contributors to which received tickets to the museum, a ride in a sports car or sponsorship of one of the exhibits.

The oldest vehicle on display in the museum is a Škoda Popular Coupe from 1934: a racing special with an aerodynamic body designed for the 1000-mile Czechoslovak car race. The newest car on display is a Škoda Superb used by former Czech President Václav Klaus.