Sights

Šindelářská Tower (300 m)

It's not just Pisa in Italy that boasts a leaning tower. Our very own court tower stands as the sole survivor of the original four defensive towers. Standing 20 meters tall with an impressive seven-meter diameter, its gentle lean is clearly visible from Věžní Street, where it rests gracefully against the adjacent building. While its charm can only be admired from the outside, with the interior open only on rare occasions.

Church of St. John the Baptist (300 m)

This originally Gothic church from the late 14th century is the very place where, on September 16, 1817, writer Václav Hanka and chaplain Borč discovered the most famous literary forgery in Czech history. Yes, we are speaking of the Dvůr Králové Manuscript, which played a pivotal role during the National Revival and has been the subject of countless debates ever since. Even today, staunch proponents will passionately argue that this collection of poems truly originated in the Middle Ages and stands as supreme evidence of the sophistication of Czech culture.

"Musíme si pomáhat," "Hitler: vzestup zla," the Danish epic "1864," and a host of other Czech and international films have all been shot in the fortress town of Josefov in Jaroměř. Strolling through its streets, you'll feel transported back to the 18th century, when the fortress was originally built. Remarkably, not much has changed here since then. For those seeking more than a stroll past ancient houses, straight-lined streets, and impressive ramparts, you can delve into a labyrinth of underground corridors, softly lit by candles. Furthermore, Josefov is home to several museums and exhibitions dedicated to military history.

The permanent exhibition on Christmas ornament production in Dvůr Králové is among the best-designed and most entertaining exhibitions in East Bohemia. Explore all the drawers and cabinets filled with hundreds of ornaments from the 1930s to the present day. We guarantee that this festive exploration will delight not only your children. The second permanent exhibition is equally captivating. You'll get a glimpse into an engraving workshop and discover the highlights about the glorious era of the textile industry in the region. It's no coincidence that Dvůr Králové was nicknamed the Czech Manchester.

A unique gallery of sandstone sculptures under the open sky, which Matyáš Bernard Braun and his workshop carved into the rocks in Nový les near Kuks between 1718 and 1732. The reliefs of the Arrival of the Three Kings, the Nativity of the Lord, and the Vision of Saint Hubert will, without exaggeration, take your breath away with their monumentality. In 2000, Betlém was listed among the 100 most endangered monuments in the world. From Dvůr Králové, it is easily accessible on foot, by bike, or by car. A spacious parking lot is located in front of Betlém.

Be sure to visit the cycling museum in the manor part of Žireč for an impressive display of bicycles, from the oldest models to modern machines. Housed in a Baroque granary, which is part of the St. Joseph's Home complex, the largest exhibition of its kind in Central Europe opened here in 2017. Across three floors, you'll discover a replica of the dandy horse by German inventor Karl Drais from 1817, old velocipedes from the 19th century, Ema Destinnová's bicycle, Zdeněk Svěrák's cycling equipment from the film Vratné lahve, and, of course, models from the world-renowned Czech brand Favorit. All of them originate from the unique collection of Jiří Uhlíř from Hostovlice in the Čáslav region.