Discover the Saaz Hop Phenomenon and Its Unique Cultural Landscape
The town of Žatec, the heart of the Czech Republic’s most important hop-growing region, has joined forces with the National Museum of Agriculture to create a new exhibition dedicated to the unique legacy of Saaz hops and the landscape that, together with Žatec’s historic town centre, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023.
- Uncover the fascinating story of hop cultivation, harvest, and global trade.
- Explore a historical diorama of a traditional hop field from the museum’s collection.
- Immerse yourself in interactive displays dedicated to all things hops.
The exhibition begins with a walk through a reconstructed traditional hop field, featuring upright wooden poles typical of early hop-growing practices in the Žatec region—before the use of wires became common. This immersive entrance invites visitors to step into a world where hops were more than just a crop: they were a defining part of local identity and daily life. An interactive light panel further enhances the atmosphere, offering visitors a playful and accessible way to engage with the UNESCO-listed cultural landscape.
At the heart of the exhibition is a rare historical diorama depicting hand harvesting of hops in the 1820s. This exceptional model from the National Museum of Agriculture’s collection portrays an early hop field using only upright wooden poles—before wires were introduced. Carefully restored and enhanced with light and sound effects, the diorama offers a vivid glimpse into a time when the hop harvest was a major social event involving entire communities.
But the exhibition doesn’t only look back. Visitors will also learn about the modern cultivation, harvesting, and international trade of Czech hops. Audiovisual materials present the ongoing story of hop farming in the Žatec landscape—from the Middle Ages to today—where breeding, processing, and certification continue to support the world’s most prestigious breweries.
The exhibition is held under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný and Minister of Culture Martin Baxa.
