Avicenum travel

Stays

History

In the early Middle Ages, in the 11th century and perhaps even earlier, there was a trail connecting our country with neighbouring Poland. There was a Guard Gate at the very borderline, and beneath, a small settlement of guards with an ancient St. John the Baptist Church. For the first time we have learnt about the Gate from Kosmas Chronicle record about Prince Vratislav II, who had called a land´s assembly of knights there. About two centuries later a border castle on the hill above the Metuje river came into being, then a town called Náchod appeared in the valley beneath.Landlord Hron of Náchod from House of Načeratic was the first-known owner of both, the castle and the town. Then, as the centuries, rich of peace and wars, were passing by, there was a long line of feudal lords to whom the town belonged. Among them was the Czech King John of Luxembourg, Hussite leader Jan Kolda of Žampach and even the so called Hussite King George of Poděbrady. The Smiřickýs rebuilt the late Gothic castle into The Renaissance chateau in the 16th century, and the town flourished under their rule, but unfortunately not for long. During the Thirty Years´War, the Italian noble House of Piccolomini became the new lord of Náchod. Its main representa- tive - Octavio, Emperor´s Generalissimus - called on Italian builders and had the smaller Renaissance chateau rebuilt into a magnificent Baroque Duke´s seat.

Tourist attractions

The town Náchod has recently been a natural, historical, tourist, administrative and industrial centre of the area - from the entry "Branka = Gate" up to the whole Broumov edge. There are many monuments here in the town - Renaissance castle with French garden, St. Lawrence´s gothic church in Masaryk square, the old baroque town hall, the new neo-renaissance town hall, the post office.

Náchod Castle
The Gothic castle was founded in mid 13th century as the fortified point protecting the Bohemian- Kladsko pass. There were many noble houses taking turns in keeping it, above all the House of Poděbrady, Pernštejn and Smiřice, followed by House of Trčka, Piccolomini, Desfours, Curland and Schaumburg. There were among owners even Czech kings. Until the 18th century it had been often rebuilt, in Renaissance style during ownership of House Smiřický in Baroque one, led by significant Italian master builder Carlo Lugano.

Churches and Charges
St. Lawrence Church in the main square is already mentioned in 1310. The neighbouring Baroque building of the deanery was built in 1727, the Baroque St. Michael Church at Komenský Street in 1716, the oldest church of St. John Baptist, located in the Municipal cemetery is recorded in 11th and 12th century.

The Regional Museum - History of Náchod and the Náchod Area
The Museum can be found in a pleasant house in Masaryk Square. Period exhibits from primeval ages till the present times as well as 25 life-size figurines showing the significant personalities and historical events from the life of the area can certainly attract the attention of visitors.

The New Town Hall
The building was constructed between years 1902 and 1904 in pseudo-renaissance style according to architect Podhájský´s design. The front part is abundantly decorated with colourful, figural sgraffito by Mikoláš Aleš, representing a mayor, two councillors and King George of Poděbrady.