Znojmo displays rare 500-year-old municipal law codex

The rare Book of Municipal Laws of Znojmo, a 500-year-old manuscript, is being displayed to the public for the first time in 30 years. The exhibition, titled ‘Faces of the City of Znojmo’, is held at the House of Art in Znojmo to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the city's elevation to a royal city.

Created between 1523 and 1525 by notary Štěpán z Vyškova, the codex contains 408 parchment leaves featuring early Renaissance illuminations by Wolfgang Frölich of Olomouc. The manuscript includes depictions of King Louis Jagellon and the oldest known view of Znojmo. The book is bound in red velvet with silver fittings by goldsmith Jiří Teufel.

Due to its immense historical and cultural value, the codex is displayed under strict security measures. It will be available for viewing until October 24, 2026, after which it will return to the State District Archive in Znojmo. It is expected that the manuscript may not be seen by the public again for at least another decade.