Sights and museums

Among the most significant monuments of Chlumec is the chateau Karlova Koruna, built in 1721-1723 according to the plans of one of the most important architects of Czech Baroque, Jan Santini-Aichl. The chateau is the focal point of the city Chlumec nad Cidlinou. The oldest building monument in Chlumec is the former parish, later on graveyard church of the Holy Trinity. It was built in 1134 in Romanesque style and later rebuilt in Gothic style. Klicper’s Square is dominated by the Gothic-Renaissance church of St. Voršil, built during the reign of the Pernsteins. The Marian Plague Column stands on the eastern part of Chlumec’s square. It was built in 1710 by Václav Norbert Kinský in honour of the victory of Emperor Joseph I and his allies over Ludwig XIV in the battle over Spanish Succession. The former Loreta Monastery is located north of the square and now houses the City Museum.

Among other significant monuments of the region is the Early Baroque church of St. Wenceslas and Stanislav in Měník. The church was built in 1686 using “trhanice” – flat, narrow boards created from tearing the trunks of trees lengthwise. The church of St. Mary Magdalene stands in Nepolisy, which was built on the site of the former wooden church of St. Mary Magdalene from 1391. The municipality of Stará Voda is dominated by the Gothic brick church of St. Wenceslas, which was built in the second half of the 14^th century, later renovated in Baroque style. The church includes a wooden belfry from the 16^th century, in which the large and heavy Wenceslas bell hangs. Lučice is home to the Baroque church of St. Benedict from 1369. Today’s appearance was imprinted on it by the Baroque renovations conducted in 1718. A very valuable 16^th century belfry with a bell from 1586 is found by the church. It is the only wooden building structure of its type in Bohemia with an open underpass ground floor.

Among the most noteworthy monuments in Nový Bydžov, which is worth visiting, is definitely the urban heritage zone established on a regular geometrical outline around 1305. The square of Nový Bydžov is found in the centre of the zone. Even the Gothic church of St. Lawrence has been preserved from this period with its prismal tower, which was added to the church later on. The gem of the square since 1865 is the Neo-Gothic City Hall built according to the plans of the Chlumec chateau architect Josef Míč. It was built on the site of the former Late Gothic city hall from 1461 and 1462.

The Marian Plague Column, the foundation of which dates back to 1697, was built in 1716. Later on, statues of saints were added to the niches – St. Joseph with Jesus, St. Ludmila, St. Sebastien and St. Francis. The collections of the City Museum housed in the Art Nouveau building of the former Art Nouveau savings bank of 1906-1907, have considerable art history value.

The Jewish cemetery was established behind the city walls in the southern part of the city in 1520. It is the third oldest in Bohemia following the Jewish cemetery in Prague and Kolín. The military cemetery from the Prussian-Austrian war in 1866 is found on the western edge of the city. The military cemetery was established on the site of a mass grave of Austrian, Saxon and Prussian soldiers, who passed away during this war as a result of injuries and cholera in the old hospital. The focal point of the Metličansky hillock is the Baroque church of St. Jacob the Elder, built in 1768-1775. Remains of the original 13^th century Gothic church were used for its construction.

Among other noteworthy monuments of the region is the originally Romanesque church consecrated to St. Prokop in Staré Bydžov dating back to the 13^th century. 

Chateau in Skřivany – originally a Renaissance fortress, which was reconstructed into a Renaissance chateau, later renovated in the English Neo-Gothic style. The Baroque chateau in Barchov, which is the oldest building in the municipality, was built in 1731 by Kryštof Norbert Voračický of Paběnice. Chateau Sloupno – in 1687, the original old Renaissance fortress from the middle of the 16^th century was reconstructed into a Baroque chateau. Its present day appearance was imprinted on it by the reconstruction work conducted according to the plans of architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer in 1748. Likewise, we cannot forget to mention the Late Baroque half-timbered church in Loučna Hora; however, it is not possible to provide any more information on its age as apart from several references, no documents have been preserved. The church received its present appearance from reconstruction conducted in 1778 – 1782. The wooden church consecrated to St. Marketa in Vysočany dates back to 1364. However, at the end of the 17^th century it was reconstructed, but wood was used again as the building material of choice. 

Source: www.spolecnacidlina.cz