Zlín Region’s Cultural and Creative Center at the Čipera Villa

A building permit for the villa is issued

As the threat to the republic grew in the years leading up to 1939, the Baťa directors decided to invest their means into developing their own residences. They purchased plots of land in what was then the outskirts of Zlín, and the company’s architect at the time, Vladimír Karfík, was commissioned to design their villas.

Dominik Čipera purchased a plot of land from the city on a west-facing slope in what is now the Burešov district. It covered an area of over eight hectares and included part of the forest on Šesták Hill. The building permit was issued on 21 September 1939.

Occupancy permit and forced eviction

In 1942, the villa passed its final inspection and was ready for the Čipera family to move in.

However, the family lived in the villa for only three years (1942–1945).

On 26 September 1945, the Čiperas were forced to put the villa together with the land and the gardener’s house at the disposal of the Baťa Relief Fund, and in 1947 they had to donate it to it.

The undervalued price of the donated property was set at 340,000 Czech crowns.

Children’s home

After the villa was forcibly transferred to the Baťa Relief Fund, it was determined that the property should be used for the social purposes of the Zlín Region and its residents.

From 1948 to 2024, the villa was used as a children’s home. Starting in 1985, in addition to the children’s home, the villa also hosted the headquarters of the Center for Disabled and Endangered Children – today the Zlín Children’s Center.

In the 1980s, part of the land was taken over for the construction of an old people’s home.

The children’s home is changing

In 1990, a bronze plaque with the following inscription was placed on the villa: “Donated to the Baťa Relief Fund for child care by Dominik and Božena Čipera. Zlín, 12 December 1947.”

In the 1990s, major changes were made – the garage at the end of the utility wing was demolished and a new one built, and the terrace on the second floor was covered with a roof. A number of original exterior and interior features were restored, and modifications were made to part of the park, including the construction of a shed for toys and the refurbishment of the original windows and exterior shutters.

On 30 October 1995, the villa was nominated for registration in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic.

The villa becomes a listed cultural monument
Commencement of reconstruction

On 26 March 2002, the villa was registered in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic. It is listed under the number ÚSKP 51533/7-9027.

Until 2024, the villa continued to serve as the children’s home and the Center for Disabled and Endangered Children – today known as the Zlín Children’s Center.

From 2024 to 2025, the villa underwent reconstruction and renovation to serve as the Zlín Region’s Cultural and Creative Center at the Čipera Villa.

The villa becomes a listed cultural monument
Commencement of reconstruction

In 2023, the Zlín Region, as the future investor, submitted the project “Reconstruction of the Čipera Villa” to the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. The project was approved, included in the National Recovery Plan, and co-financed by the European Union’s Next Generation program.

The reconstruction itself began in late July 2024, and its full completion, handover, and final inspection took place on 15 December 2025.