Make the Most of Summer in Kuks
The Baroque area of Kuks, found in the Podkrkonoší region, is regarded as one of the most stunning Baroque complexes anywhere in Bohemia. From 1694 to 1724, Count František Antonín Špork constructed a significant estate in the Elbe valley, nestled between Dvůr Králové and Jaroměř. This complex consists of both secular and religious buildings that gained fame well beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. The initial decision to build was sparked by the discovery of mineral springs, which led the count to create aSpa, a Castle, accommodations for military retirees, as well as the Hospitaller and the Convent of the Brothers of Mercy dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
The plan was for a spa to be situated on one side of the Elbe river, while a hospital with a garden and the Holy Trinity Church would be found on the other. The spa opened its doors in 1695, and in 1710, one of its buildings was transformed into a castle. Alongside the Inn of the Golden Sun, a wooden theatre also existed in the spa town. Today, there remains a village with a spa located on the left side of the Elbe, where you can see the timbered houses that once served as homes for spa workers and various craftsmen. Sadly, the castle was torn down at the beginning of the 20th century, and only the staircase leading to it remains standing.
Across the slope stands a magnificent hospital complex. The architects involved in its construction included G. B. Alliprandi, builder P. Netolla, stonemason G. B. della Torre, and the renowned Czech Baroque sculptor M. B. Braun, who created the well-known 24 statues representing virtues and vices. As you explore the area, be sure to check out the Pharmaceutical Museum, featuring Baroque pharmacies dating back to the 18th century. The complex is surrounded by an elegant garden, which also includes a useful herb garden. What did not survive from earlier times is the Philosophers’ House with its library, built in 1722 and located to the east of the hospital.
Intriguing pharmacy, herb garden, and wine from Kuks
Kuks Hospital now offers four different guided tours: the Hospital, the Špork Tomb, the History of Pharmacies, and the History of Drug Production. The most popular option is a historical tour that highlights the hospital along with the history of the pharmacies on its ground floor. One exhibit at the Czech Pharmaceutical Museum, titled “The Magic of Apathy,” showcases the evolution of pharmacies from the Baroque era to the 20th century. Within their oddities, you can find items like cockroaches, centipedes, mummies, and other unusual objects. The artistic beauty of mortars, decorations, paintings, and apothecary jars will surely impress you. During your visit, you’ll have the chance to step into the shoes of an apothecary and make your own tablets, suppositories, or practice dispensing prescriptions and medicines. The mesmerizing interiors of historic pharmacies include the outhouse of the Kuk pharmacy from the Brothers of Mercy dating to 1743, the setup of the Prague Dittrich Pharmacy from Nerudova Street (1821), and the functionalist design of the New Pharmacy from Beroun (1937).
The pharmacy must have originally been well-equipped as it featured a herb garden, which can still be found behind the hospital building, existing since the 18th century. Here, medicinal plants for the pharmacy at the Pomegranate Apple have always been cultivated, along with fruits and vegetables intended for the hospital kitchen. Stroll through the fragrant beds and take a moment to relax on a nearby bench. You can also benefit from the digital herbarium accessible on the hospital’s website, allowing you to learn more about medicinal plants, poisonous species, and ornamental flowers. Each plant has a sign with a QR code that connects to the online herbarium. Visitors can also purchase herbal souvenirs from the garden shop.
Wine enthusiasts will be thrilled to check out a historic vineyard with a nature trail. You can find this located in the town on the right bank of the Elbe, in a spot known as “Above the Castle.” As you walk along the wine trail, you’ll gain insights into the ongoing work involved in vineyards—such as hoeing and caring for the stone walls. If you’re in need of rest, you can sit in the gazebo and take in the beautiful views of the opposite slope with the baroque structures of the Kuks Hospital, as well as the picturesque landscape surrounding Count František Antonín Špork’s estate. Visitors can taste wine in the Gallery of Czech Wine Kuks. During the annual September Wine Festival in Kuks, wine flows freely down the cascading staircase, just like it did in the time of Count Spork.
Alongside this wine festival, Kuks also hosts various other summer events, such as Zkus obec Kuks, Musical Summer, Castle Night, and the multi-genre festival of Baroque art, Theatrum Kuks.
Strolling around Kuks
For fans of hiking, there is plenty to enjoy too – from Kuks, you can take the nature trail Let’s Go to Bethlehem Together. This trail is about 7 km long and takes visitors directly to Braun’s crib, which is tucked away in the New Forest. The young sculptor Matthias Bernard Braun carved it from local sandstone between 1711 and 1734.
You can also enjoy a nice 2.5 km walk along the Elbe to Špork’s Mill. This Baroque water mill stands on the river’s left bank in the village of Stanovice and now houses a lovely restaurant. You can reach it easily by following the red trail, which also doubles as the Labská cycle path.
Only along the left bank of the Elbe, that is the town of, runs theKuks Nature Trail. This trail will guide you through Kuks’s history and attractions via 14 informative signs. The entire loop covers 1.5 km.
