Hospital Kuks i Tjeckien - en annorlunda sevärdhet

Writer: Helena Bergström

Hospital Kuks in the Czech Republic is a slightly different attraction, in the form of an 18th century baroque hospital. Once upon a time an impressive spa was built here, and soon after a hospital was erected. Today you can join guided tours of this special place.

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Hospital Kuks in the Czech Republic

Hospital Kuks started its history when Count Špork decided to build an exclusive spa complex here in the 17th century. Having served as both a hospital and a retirement home, the building is now a Czech national monument. We travelled here in our motorhome last summer and didn't regret our visit!

Hospital Kuks is located near the town of Hradec Králove, about 110 kilometres northeast of the capital. Prague.

From exclusive spa to hospital and museum

In the 17th century, the town of Kuks was famous for its springs, which according to the locals had medicinal properties. Count Špork bought all the local estates and in 1695 he started the construction of his ambitious project - turning Kuks into a world-famous spa.

The grandiose project succeeded and for a few decades Kuks attracted the wealthy elite to luxury spa holidays. In fact, Kuks was even more glamorous than the upscale spa resort of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad).

The hospital was built between 1707 and 1715, along with the Church of the Holy Trinity and the crypt. However, the area's heyday did not last too long. After Špork's death, the valley was severely flooded and the descendants had neither the means nor the energy to rebuild.

In the mid-18th century, a Spanish order was brought in to care for injured soldiers and war veterans. During the Second World War, the hospital was used to house troubled young people and after the war it was transformed into a rest home for the elderly. Today, this Czech national monument serves as a museum.

Visiting Hospital Kuks

The easiest way to visit Hospital Kuks is by car or motorhome. We parked our motorhome and then walked the short distance to the hospital.

Along the way, you can see an incredibly grand staircase that once led up to a beautiful castle that was the centre of the spa era. Today, however, the castle is gone, as are the colonnade, arches, fountains and the spa centre with its twelve bathrooms.

If you want to know more, you can read the signs or download the app that the signs suggest. Those who want to can also take a look at a small veteran's museum located here ...

Guided tour

Hospital Kuks welcomes visitors on guided tours during the summer months (April - October). There are four different guided tours to choose from at Hospital Kuks and we chose the one called "Basic tour".

If you book in advance, it is possible to book a guided tour in English or German. If you arrive spontaneously and unplanned (as we did), you can join a guided tour in Czech - but you will receive written information in English, for example.

Shortly after the building was completed, a corridor was decorated with 52 paintings from the 'Dance of Death'. The images show how death comes for everyone, rich and poor alike... The paintings were painted over at the end of the 20th century, but were brought back for renovation in 2013-2014.

There is also a vault with lots of sculptures.

The pharmacy

One of the most fascinating sights in Hospital Kuks is the old pharmacy. Built in baroque style, the room is stunningly beautiful with all the cabinets, drawers and ornaments. The scales are on display and the jars are neatly lined up on the shelves, as if a customer might soon walk in ...

The hospital church

The hospital church, the Church of the Holy Trinity, is also an important part of Hospital Kuks. The church was built in 1707-1705, with the help of the Italian architect Giovanni Battista Alliprandi.

Hospital Kuks i Tjeckien - sjukhuskyrkan

The garden of Hospital Kuks

Last but not least, you can stroll around the garden, which then continues on to a cemetery.

We were here on an incredibly hot summer day, and it was nice to alternate between the cool stone building and the lush garden. A nice and interesting visit to an unusual sight!

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

Travelling with a motorhome and wondering where to stay overnight? One tip is to visit the campsite Stříbrný rybník in Hradec Králové. This is a nice and well-maintained campsite that is also located in a scenic area. For those not travelling with a motorhome or caravan, there are also cottages.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

From Hospital Kuks it is not too far to the city centre Hradec Králové, which may be a bit unknown but is surprisingly nice and pleasant! You can also visit the amazing mountains Adrspach Rocks or Czech Republic's highest mountain Sněžka in the Sudetenland. Below you will find even more articles on things to see and do in the Czech Republic!

An attraction for you?

Do you like these kinds of sights? Have you even visited Hospital Kuks? Please tell us!

Facts about Hospital Kuks in the Czech Republic

Address: 544 43, Kuks 81
County: Hradec Králové
Region: Bohemia (Bohemia)
Country: Czech Republic
Location: Hospital Kuks is located in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic, about 110 km east of the capital Prague.
Owners: The Czech state
Read more: You can find out more about the attraction at the site's website.

Services and practical information

Opening hours: The interior of the hospital is open from April to October.
Guided tours: There are four guided tours to choose from: Hospital (Basic Tour), Old pharmacies, Sporck family tomb and History of medicine production.
Prices: The basic tour costs 190 CZK (about 90 SEK) for adults, 150 CZK (about 70 SEK) for young people 18-24 and older and 80 CZK (about 40 SEK) for children 6-17 years old (2023).

History of Hospital Kuks

1684: Count Franz Anton von Sporck became the owner of all local estates, including Kuks. The town was famous for its springs and Sporck wanted to turn it into a world-famous spa.
1695: The construction of the spa started and Kuks became a famous spa resort.
1707-1715: The hospital was built together with the Church of the Holy Trinity and the crypt.
1740: The valley was destroyed in a massive flood and Sporck's descendants were unable to rebuild the complex.
1743: From this year, a Spanish order was invited to take care of old and injured soldiers and veterans.
The Second World War: The hospital was turned into a centre/shelter for young people with problems.
After the Second World War: After the war, and until 1972, the hospital served as a rest home for the elderly.
1896: Kok's castle (chateau) burned down.
1946: The hospital began to be used as a museum of baroque art.
1995: The hospital was declared a Czech national monument.
2013-2015: The entire building was renovated, with the help of EU funding.

Hospital Kuks in the Czech Republic - an unusual attraction

Writer: Helena Bergström

Hospital Kuks in the Czech Republic

From exclusive spa to hospital and museum

Visiting Hospital Kuks

Guided tour

The pharmacy

The hospital church

The garden of Hospital Kuks

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

An attraction for you?

Facts about Hospital Kuks in the Czech Republic

Services and practical information

History of Hospital Kuks

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