Residents of the Hradec Králové Region in the Czech Republic like to get out on weekends to the castle of Kuks. Take a walk in the Baroque scenery, check out what has grown in the castle Apothecary's garden. But those who live in the vicinity of this monument like to remember: "If you wanted to see the castle, you should have come at the end of the XIX century!".

Today's monumental building in the green valley is a former hospital. Numerous construction works have left only an ancient staircase from the castle that once stood here. However, little remains of the resort, which was more fashionable even than Karlovy Vary at the beginning of the XVIII century.

Now there is no classic castle there, but there is a great place for a weekend outing: greenery, air, views, sculptures (the work of Matthias Bernard Braun himself, who created many masterpieces in the Baroque style in the Czech lands).

The castle belonged to the Sporck family. Jan Sporck's fate was bright. He began his career as a simple drummer during the Thirty Years' War. Then he got the rank of General and received the title of count. Having a decent fortune, Sporck began to acquire possessions. He was very interested in Czech lands.

The Spa buildings with a castle and a mansion in a picturesque valley of the Elbe at the beginning of the XVIII century was built by his son František Antonín Sporck. František quickly turned his estate into a popular resort among Czech aristocrats when a check of the springs around Kuks confirmed the special properties of the waters.

However, even after numerous alterations, the building looks presentable. You can visit the hospital, the former main hall of the hospital, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Baroque pharmacy. In the six halls of the Czech pharmaceutical museum, you can learn about the development of pharmacies from the Baroque era to the XX century. In 2015, an educational center specializing in hospital and pharmaceutical work was established in Kuks. In the lapidary of the complex, there are original sculptures by Matthias Bernard Braun.

You can reach the village from Kuks of Hradec Králové, Trutnov, Jaroměř.