Kosmonosy can be explored through its various historic buildings and traces of culture; nearby nature reserves offer a different perspective. Churches, the castle and the open-air museum provide different insights into the history of the town. Which of these themes you focus on when planning your visit depends on your interests.
Churches and architectural history
The Loreto Chapel was built from 1702 to 1708 to a design by the Italian architect Giovanni Alliprandi. At the centre of the complex stands the Santa Casa, surrounded by cloisters. Reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Mary, statues of prophets and reproductions of Italian frescoes define its interior.
The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross dates from an earlier period: it was built from 1671 to 1673 and is considered one of the first Baroque churches in the Mladá Boleslav area. Most of the sculptures and decorations in the church were created by the Kosmonosy sculptor Josef Jelínek. Its architecture and artistic attribution can therefore be explored through specific examples.
Castle, museum and traces of culture
Kosmonosy Castle began as a Renaissance fortress, built by Adam Krajíř between 1560 and 1570. The castle houses a museum on the history of the town, with a particular focus on the 20th century. The history of the fortress and the museum’s thematic focus thus offer two different perspectives on Kosmonosy across time.
The Piarist College also shapes the architectural history of the town. The four-winged complex is arranged around a central courtyard, with covered walkways opening onto it through arcades. The college remains a protected cultural monument. Its wing layout and the design of its connecting passageways can be seen as defining architectural features.
The Kosmonosy Grammar School is also part of the region’s cultural history, having developed into a cultural centre for the region. Its alumni include the Baroque musicians Jiří Benda and Jiří Ignác Linka. This history complements the study of the buildings with the town’s musical connections.
Open-air museum and natural areas
Next to Kosmonosy Castle Park lies the prehistoric Altamira open-air museum. It includes reconstructions of prehistoric structures, including Celtic half-sunken houses, a bakery and a weaving workshop, a hay barn, a stable and a small field. The selection of reconstructed buildings and work areas offers a different focus from the history of the churches and castle.
The nearby Baba Nature Reserve covers approximately 122 hectares and consists mainly of deciduous forest, including oak-hornbeam and beech forests. The nearby Vrch Baba Nature Reserve focuses on protecting natural forest and open-land ecosystems, as well as exposed basalt dykes. Both descriptions offer an insight into the forests and open landscapes around Kosmonosy, without equating them with the historic buildings.
The nature trail through Vrch Baba Nature Reserve begins and ends in the centre of Kosmonosy-Horní Stakory. Check the condition of the path before setting out. Castle Park was opened to the public after the Second World War; check current access arrangements before visiting. It is also advisable to check the latest visitor information in advance for the castle museum and the Altamira open-air museum.
Discover more destinations: Žehrov, Sukorady, Sezemice U Mnichova Hradiště, Řepov, Horky Nad Jizerou, Pětikozly, Kropáčova Vrutice, Žďár.
Return to the main travel overview: Okres Mladá Boleslav.
