14|15 BATA INSTITUTE
More than 70 years old factory buildings have been transformed into an elegant place, housing a gallery, museum, library and cultural platform. You can start your own story about Zlín right here. It is the perfect starting point for exploring the city and it is just a few steps from the train station.
Buildings No 14 and 15 of the Bata factory complex in Zlín have a long history. They were built in 1946-49 on the site of the original buildings bombed during the war. They were designed by architect Jiří Voženílek for shoe production. Unlike the pre-war projects, they had extensions on each side to accommodate air conditioning, changing rooms and a machine room. Both buildings featured a number of innovations, such as separate changing rooms for men and women located in the mezzanine floors, steel tiles on the floor, double-glazed windows and roof insulation. From the 1990s, the buildings were no longer used for shoe production. You would find clothing and Asian goods shops, occasional galleries or warehouses here. And today? After a successful renovation, the buildings provide premises for a library, a museum and a gallery. The platform between the buildings is used for concerts, markets and other cultural events.
Interesting facts
Buildings No 14 and 15 were at the time of their construction connected by conveyor belts with stations on the roofs. There was also a link to the nearby central shoe warehouse in building No 34. As you stand on the platform of the 14|15 BATA INSTITUTE, tilt your head back and check out the conveyor belts.
Where next
- In the 14|15 BATA INSTITUTE you will find the Museum of South East Moravia in Zlín with a great exhibition called The Bata Principle, presenting the story of Bata's Zlín.
- The Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín houses collections dedicated to Czech and Slovak modern art, design and architecture.
- The František Bartoš Regional Library is located in a creative environment. It has huge collections of Bata's period prints, which are worth seeing! They are a frequent target of virtual tourists from all over the world.
- All the necessary information, maps, guides, brochures and advice are available at the Regional Tourist Information Centre on the ground floor of the building No 14.
- From April to September the 14|15 BATA INSTITUTE together with the Regional Gallery of Fine Arts organises guided bus tours "Let's explore the Bata architecture of Zlín". The two-hour tour will show you the most important objects of Zlín architecture. Check the Institute's website for dates and reservations.
Opening hours
Information centre
MON 8AM–4PM
TUE–FRI 8AM–6PM
SAT–SUN 10AM–6PM
Gallery and museum
MON closed
TUE–SUN 10AM–6PM
Library
MON, TUE, THU, FRI 9AM–7PM
WED 12PM–7PM
SAT 9AM–12PM
SUN closed
