It’s the area surrounding the last in this list where you have an opportunity to become acquainted with
local wines including legendary burgundy varieties, brought to Bohemia by Emperor Charles IV. You’ll also find some quite unusual places here such as the labyrinths and mazes around
Loučeň Chateau, a small and little known zoo in Chleby, a small narrow-gauge train which takes inquisitive travellers along the sugar beet line near Kolín, and the belfry in Kouřim, where the bells are hung upside down. Foodies also have something to look forward to in the shape of the
brewery in Kostelec nad Černými lesy and medieval specialities at the
Botanicus village. And when you are in the area, a trip along the Elbe is a must – cruises leave from both Poděbrady and Kolín.
Poděbrady – In this spa town, the dominating feature of which is the chateau housing a permanent exhibition on King George of Poděbrady, you can visit the Polabské Museum or take a sightseeing cruise aboard the
King George. The
spa treats patients with cardiovascular complaints, diabetes and musculo-skeletal problems; it also offers various kinds of wellness break.
Stará Boleslav – This is a pilgrimage site and the place St Wenceslas was martyred. A Gothic metal relief of the Stará Boleslav Virgin with child, honoured since the 17th century as a palladium (a symbol of protection for the Czech lands), graces the main altar at the Church of the Virgin Mary.
Mělník – This town lies at the centre of a traditional wine producing region. Visitors can head to the
chateau with its extensive wine cellars, the
Regional Museum and the town’s underground passageways featuring one very deep well. From the terraces below the chateau open up views of the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava, and in the crypt beneath the Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul lurks an
ossuary.
Kouřim – This old town, its defensive walls still well preserved, boasts a
Gothic-Renaissance belfry, where the bells are hung upside down. At the
Museum of Folk Architecture visitors can view timber and half-timbered structures transferred here from an area flooded by the Želivka reservoir.
Kokořín Castle – This essentially medieval castle with a 19th-century crust has a viewing tower and is the dominant feature of the Kokořínsko protected area. In the surrounding area are interesting sandstone rock formations, caves and
troglodyte dwellings with the
Cinibulek trail leading the way.
Labyrintarium at Loučeň Chateau – In the park around Loučeň
Chateau you’ll find ten labyrinths and mazes made from a variety of materials. The tour of the chateau interiors paints a picture of the life led by the Thurn-Taxis family at the turn of the 19th century. The park is a great place for a
picnic.
Černokostelecký Brewery – While perusing this museum dedicated to the history of brewing you will see period machines including a renovated thresher. The onsite restaurant in a swish interwar style is the best place to end your visit.
