Historic hospital in Kuks

Monuments can be not only sacred buildings or huge palaces that remember the times of lavish parties. A hospital can also be a monument on a global scale, and such an attraction is waiting for tourists in Kuks.

There are many tiny, even microscopic places in the world famous for their enormous (literally and figuratively) attractions. You don't have to look far for an example - in Poland one such place is Święta Lipka, to which pilgrimages were made already in the 15th century. The village, situated in the beautiful surroundings of forests, houses agritourism farms, guest houses and hotels, but alone it has only a few hundred inhabitants.

About 30 km from the border with Poland there is a similar place called Kuks . It is a charming little village in the Czech district of Trutnov, founded at the end of the 17th century as a resort-residence of Count FA Šporek. The founder spared no funds for the town to gain splendor - it built magnificent baths and an equally magnificent palace, theater, library and race track. Later, the huge Bonifrat Monastery was built with the Špork family tomb, the church of St. Of the Holy Trinity and a hospital, which is one of the few buildings in the complex that has survived to this day.

A pearl of the baroque

It is not a story about an ordinary building, as it might seem to someone. The hospital in Kuks is a huge building with lots of beautiful baroque sculptures standing in front of it. It is a reminder of a luxurious spa, which in its heyday was equal to the most famous and popular resorts in Europe. It was adorned with huge colonades (the first in Bohemia), and the presence of a Venetian opera made it even more majestic. Unfortunately, then the flood came, causing great damage, and then the facility fell into neglect.

To this day, only four spa houses, stairs with water cascades and the hospital on the hill, which houses the Czech Museum of Pharmacy , have survived. The remains of the magnificent complex can only be visited with a guide.

Wandering around the former spa

What can be seen in the former spa complex, which, according to the Count's plans, overshadowed with the splendor of Wiesbaden or Karlovy Vary? Tourists will be able to visit the historic pharmacy , which is part of the museum. It is one of the two oldest facilities of this type in the world, and inside it there are amazing pharmacy furniture, evoking associations with magical recipes. You can also go to the Špork family tomb, located under the Church of the Holy Trinity. In the crypt lies the count's mummy, as well as another work of Braun - an expressive crucifix.

The Lapidarium houses the main attraction of Kuks - Virtues and Victims , which are the largest collection of this type in the world. The series of beautiful sculptures by Mateusz Bernard Braun, one of the most famous Austrian sculptors of the Baroque period, pleases the eye, but also causes reflection. The artist's original works were moved inside the complex so that they would not be influenced by unfavorable factors. Currently, there are copies in front of the building, which are allegories of virtues (including faith, hope and love) and vices (including debauchery, anger and gluttony).

Braun's nativity scene

The works of the Austrian sculptor can be found not only in the complex, but also in its vicinity. Approx. 3 km from the village there is a stone nativity scene ( Betlém) . In the past, there were many expressive sculptures, today there are only a few of them, but they make a great impression - especially the tilted figure of the hermit Juan Garin, repenting in this position.

When visiting Kuks, it is also worth visiting Józefów and seeing the fortress there. With a lamp in hand, you can visit some of the miners' sidewalks, which is a great attraction, especially on hot summer days. The town of Dvůr Králové , famous for its huge zoo with safari, is also noteworthy. It is open all year round, and sightseeing takes place in special double-decker buses.

Kuks is situated on the road from Jaroměř to Dvůr Králové. The buildings of the complex can be seen from the route, so it is easy to find them, and in case someone misses their feet, they will be guided by signs. Holidays are just a few days away, so it's worth thinking about a short trip to our neighbors.