- Address: Kuks 81, 544 43 Kuks, Czech Republic
- Phone: +420 499 692 161
- Website: hospital-kuks.cz
The masterpiece of the Czech Castle Kuks is that this is truly an extraordinary architectural project of its kind. Moreover, it was built not as a defensive fortress, but as a whole complex for the celebration of life and improvement of well-being. Even centuries later, connoisseurs of medieval beauty do not cease to compare it with Versailles.
Kuks is a castle or a hospital?
Baroque complex was built on the idea and order of the graph of non-aristocratic origin of Frantisek Antonin Shporok. In addition to the count's residence, the project included guest houses, a monastery and a military hospital, where veterans and ordinary poor people were supposed to be treated. Behind the main building were trimmed gardens with many semantic sculptures.
During the Count's lifetime, Castle Kuks was the cultural and creative center of the whole of Central Europe. Over time, the castle and settlement, in the center of which it was, turned into a real resort. In the summer, from local fountains, water and wine flowed, here they spent lavish multi-day festivals with bright salutes.
The construction of all buildings and structures was extended for 20 years. Count Shpork himself did not live to see the opening of the hospital, in which the brothers of mercy settled in 1744. The medical mission in Kuks was carried out regularly until 1938. After the Second World War, the hospital passed to the state. In 1995 Cooks was recognized as a national monument of the Czech Republic .
Kuks Castle today
The entire masterpiece Baroque complex Kuks is located on the right run Elbe in the homonymous village near the small town of Yaromnerzh. The former glory to the castle began to gradually return after a comprehensive reconstruction in 2015. In the process of capital restoration, the masters carefully restored a large building, restored wilted gardens and all architectural compositions.
According to experts, the Czech Versailles for the first time in history brought the country the Europa Nostra nomination, which in narrow circles is called "Architectural Okar". The renovated building and its surrounding nature attracts a great interest of modern tourists.
What to see in Kuks?
Unfortunately, not all the buildings from the original project have survived to this day. Earlier on one side of the river there was a residence and spa houses that were destroyed by floods in 1740, on the other - a hospital, a church and a library.
There are no lavish and rich apartments and rooms in the castle, but it is worth to walk through the corridor, on the walls of which were found 52 frescos from the series "Dance of Death". In the middle is the door to the courtyard. The whole structure is modest and harmonious. In the courtyard of the castle is worth visiting the sculpture museum, where the original sculptures from the collection of the count are collected. In the park are their copies.
The Trinity Church is the owner of the most significant image of Christmas in Central Europe. Also worth a look at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a large church hall and a gilded main altar with images of Saints Peter and Paul.
Since 1743, one of the oldest pharmacies in the Czech Republic has been operating in Castle Kuks. A noteworthy element of the main hall is the horn of the unicorn as a symbol of compulsory recovery. In the cupboards and on the shelves, the ancient inventory and preparations are preserved. All medicinal herbs, as well as vegetables were grown in the castle garden. Its masterpiece design with semantic statues is simply amazing. Fountains work here, benches are installed on which you can relax and enjoy the beauty and splendor of castle species.
Excursions
The architectural and park complex offers several types of excursions :
- Inspection of the military hospital. You will be shown interior interiors and a large hospital main hall. You will visit the Church of the Holy Trinity, where the family crypt of Sporki is located. Also, tour guides take you to an old pharmacy "At a pomegranate apple."
- Visiting the grave of Count Shporok. In the family crypt you can see the history of the whole family Shporkov.
- History of the pharmacy. The exhibition of the pharmacy museum will acquaint you with the stages of the development of pharmacy up to the XX century. You can see a unique collection of various medicines, including. amazing and funny.
- Medicinal production. This is a new facet of the pharmacy museum, which will show how and from what medicines were made in pharmacies and in factories.
How to get to Kuks?
To Castle Kuks from Prague you can safely get on the intercity bus and get off at the same stop. From the city of Hradec Králové, trains run to the complex. If you go by taxi or a rented car , then take the highway number 37, in front of the hospital on the other bank of the river Elba is equipped with a large paid parking. From it to the Czech Versailles about 15 minutes walk.
In Kuks, the tourist season lasts from April 1 to October 29. The ticket office is open from 9:00 to 17:00 except Monday. You can also purchase a ticket for group tours, the schedule and duration of which you need to clarify with the cashier. The cost of excursions varies: adult ticket from € 0.5 to € 4, preferential - up to € 2. Children up to 6 years old admission free.
Near the hospital there is the Hospoda Na Sýpce café, and in the basement there is the Gallery of Czech Wines. On the waterfront you can visit the Baroque restaurant, where you can have a snack after visiting the masterpieces of baroque architecture.