Alchemical exhibition in the Janda Museum in Budyně nad Ohří
Dating: 1997
Annotation:
The premises intended for alchemical work during the Renaissance were part of the local museum in Budyně nad Ohří already at the beginning of the 20th century. The museum, however, was shut down in the 1980s and was not re-established until 1997. Today, the alchemical exhibition is back in the original space in the underground of the castle.
Description:
The remains of alchemical equipment were found in the underground of the Budyně nad Ohří chateau during its overhaul in 1904-1909 and became the basis of the Municipal Museum, founded by local teacher Antonín Janda. After subsequent renovations in 1970-1987, however, the museum was closed and its exhibits were stored in the depository of the District Museum in Litoměřice. The museum, now called the Janda Museum, was reopened on 1 November 1997 and included, among other exhibits referring to the history of Budyně and its surroundings, a small alchemical exhibition. You can see the authentic premises of the alchemy workshop, which includes furnaces and other alchemists` tools on long-term loan from the Pharmaceutical Museum in Kuks, from private collectors or from the Prague Castle Administration. The tour offers a glimpse into some of the alchemical works, which were mostly written by Bavor Rodovský of Hustířany (c. 1526 - c. 1600), who spent the last 20 years of his life at the Budyně chateau as a guest of Jan Zbyněk Zajíc of Házmburk (c. 1560 - c. 1616), a great fan of alchemy. Rodovský of Hustířany was one of the important representatives of Renaissance science. He enriched the history of sciences in the Czech lands not only with his alchemical writings, which include translations of important works in this field into Czech, but also with treatises on astronomy and history.
Connected places:
Bavor Rodovský the Younger of Hustířany at the Budyně nad Ohří CastleBavor mladší Rodovský z Hustířan na zámku v Budyni nad Ohří
Keywords: alchemy; Renaissance science, alchemy, Bavor Rodovský of Hustířany, original alchemy workshop
References:
Bittner, J. a kol.: Budyně nad Ohří. Historie regionu města. Budyně nad Ohří 1998.
Purš, I., Karpenko, V.: Alchymie na šlechtických dvorech v českých zemích. In: Purš, I., Karpenko, V. (ed.): Alchymie a Rudolf II. Praha 2011, s. 47–91, zde s. 82–86.
Zachar, O.: O alchymii a českých alchymistech. Praha 1911, s. 172–225.
Author's initials: LeO
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