Čipera Villa

Čipera Villa, together with its garden and gardener’s cottage, was designed by architect Vladimír Karfík for Dominik Čipera (1893–1963), one of the leading figures in the Baťa company.

This elegant residence is one of the most remarkable buildings of interwar Zlín. It combines modern architecture, comfort and a carefully considered relationship with nature.

The villa’s history reflects the turbulent events of the 20th century – the rise of the Baťa empire, the war and the post-war transformations. Despite these upheavals, it has retained its authentic appearance and exceptional atmosphere to this day. For Zlín, Čiperova Villa holds a significance comparable to that of Müller Villa in Prague or Villa Tugendhat in Brno. It is a living symbol of an era when Zlín became a city renowned for its modern lifestyle and world-class architecture.

The exhibition, prepared by the Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín, occupies part of the ground floor and upper floor. It explores the creation and history of Dominik Čipera’s villa, the Baťa company’s interwar housing and villa construction, and the life story of the man who commissioned the building, whose significance extends far beyond Zlín and the surrounding region. It also recalls the brief period between 1942 and 1945 when Dominik Čipera lived in the villa with his family, before being persecuted and forced to leave the country.

The exhibition includes an architectural model of the villa and extensive documentation that sheds light on both this exceptional building and its owner.

On 26 March 2002, the villa estate, including the gardener’s cottage, was listed as a protected immovable cultural monument in the Czech Republic, recognising its outstanding architectural and historical significance.

In 2024–2025, Čiperova Villa and the entire estate underwent revitalisation to create the Cultural and Creative Centre of the Zlín Region.

Exhibition curators: Ladislava Horňáková, Vít Jakubíček