Toys in the Darkness of the Protectorate

The exhibition "Toys in the Darkness of the Protectorate" at the Museum of Mechanical Toys in Velváry commemorates 80 years since the end of World War II and runs until November 1, 2026. Curated by Mgr. Miroslav Smaha, art historian and collector, the exhibition views the war period through children's eyes and presents beloved mechanical toys from the early years of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia – wind-up figurines, dolls, steam engines, toy trains, and toy cars. The collection also includes military toys, such as a unique wooden construction set "Naval Battle" with a mechanism that fires a torpedo from a submarine, and the board game "Defence of the Homeland". Notable exhibits include a metal construction set without a manufacturer's mark, toy trains and steam engines produced by the Lastra company from Trhové Sviny, and a collection of children's cap guns, a cinematograph, and mechanical toys by the Stella Krnsko company. Particularly valued exhibits – a wooden rooster and puppy carved by Theresienstadt prisoners between 1941 and 1945 – were loaned to the collaborating institution, the National Pedagogical Museum J. A. Comenius in Prague, for the exhibition "Childhood Under the Swastika", which also runs until November 1, 2026. The museum operates two permanent exhibitions: "Mechanical Toys from 1840–1950" in the Decanal Courtyard area on Třebízský Square and "Toy Trains from 1920–1960" on King Vladislav Square. Opening hours: Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays 10:00–17:00; Thursday and Friday by telephone arrangement.