Sunday, March 02, 2008

Podebrady Castle

Poděbrady is a spa town located in Central Bohemia, on the Labe (Elbe) river 50 Km east of Prague. It's known not only for its spa (Lázně Poděbrady), mineral water (Poděbradka) and a golf club, but also as a birthplace of the Czech king George of Poděbrady.

The first fortified seat was founded in Poděbrady already in the first half of the 12th century. A stone castle in the Gothic style surrounded by Labe's water was build in the 13th century, during the reign of the king Přemysl Otakar II, who resided here occasionally.

Lords of Kunštát became the new owners of the Poděbrady castle in 1361 and they rebuilt it and extended its fortification. In the 2nd half of the 16th century the castle was rebuilt by an Italian architect G. B. Aostalli de Sala as a Renaissance chateau. The last reconstruction added late Baroque fortification elements in the 2nd half of the 18th century.

How to get there

The town of Poděbrady is located 50 Km east of Prague, close to the highway D11 connecting Prague and Hradec Králové. A drive from Prague takes about 30 minutes. You can also go by bus (about 40 minutes) or by train (about 1h20).

Related links: