Kounice offers something for culture and nature enthusiasts: a protected church complex, a castle with several historic building phases, and landscape features ranging from a nature trail to a fossil site. To plan your visit, you can first decide whether to focus on architectural history, trails and nature, or geology.
Church, Castle and Brewing Tradition
The protected complex of the Church of St James the Greater (“kostel sv. Jakuba Většího”) comprises more than just the church building. The ensemble also includes the site of the former cemetery, a perimeter wall with two gates, an entrance staircase and a statue of St John of Nepomuk. Together, these features give the protected area its own spatial layout.
Kounice Castle stands on the site of a former fortress, probably dating back to the Middle Ages. Between 1612 and 1634, the fortress was rebuilt and extended under Jan Rudolf Trčka to form a three-winged Renaissance castle. In 1719, the castle was remodelled in the Baroque style; a chronogram on the castle gate points to this phase. The presumed medieval history, Renaissance reconstruction and later Baroque alterations can thus be viewed as distinct historical layers.
The history of the protected monuments also includes the former malt house, one of Kounice’s preserved monuments, and Sladovna – Panský pivovar, an original Renaissance brewery dating from the second half of the 16th century. Brewing tradition is also part of the town’s history: after 112 years, a batch of Kounický ležák was brewed again for the first time. Together, these themes offer a glimpse of brewing in Kounice alongside the history of the castle and church.
Nature Trail and Landscape
The Kounická cesta runs along minor roads through Kounice, across meadows beside the floodplain of the Kounický potok and along the edge of an orchard, ending at the Cihelna pond in the west of the municipality. The nature trail is marked with green-and-white signs and currently has three stops; the route and number of stops may change. One stop, called “Motte,” recalls a medieval fortification. Signage may also change, so it is advisable to check the latest route information before setting out.
The landscape along the Kounická cesta includes floodplain, meadows, the edge of an orchard and the pond. Kounický háj offers a different perspective on nature: it is a typical lowland and hill-country deciduous forest that has developed into a mixed forest with diverse woodland flora. A historical survey recorded 72 bird species in the Kounice area. This figure should be understood as an older survey result; which birds you may see on a visit can vary.
One geological destination is the abandoned Na skále quarry, a rich fossil flora site in the sandstones and claystones of the Peruc Beds. It is located 1 km southwest of Kounice. The site is freely accessible; by car, you can get within 250 m of it. This geological site adds another facet to the landscape alongside its trails and woodland.
Plan Your Visit and Accommodation
The “Kounická šlapka” cycling race may also be relevant when planning your dates: the 15th edition was announced for 18 August 2026. If the race could affect your travel dates, check the latest event information in advance.
If you are looking for a holiday rental in Kounice, you can include your interests in your search: castle and brewing history, the Kounická cesta, or nature spots such as Kounický háj and Na skále. For specific listings, check the location and availability for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Hrubý Jeseník, Kněžice, Oskořínek, Krchleby, Chleby, Jíkev, Milčice, Křinec
For the broader travel overview: Okres Nymburk.
