Galerie Ludvíka Kuby Poděbrady

Galerie Ludvíka Kuby is a compact art gallery in the spa town of Poděbrady, tucked right into the promenade that links the pump rooms with the spa park.

The gallery occupies part of the Colonnade of Friendship and Art, a building erected in the 1980s, standing next to the Art Nouveau Viola café and the town's central spa baths. It sits directly on the main pedestrian route through Poděbrady's spa quarter, so most visitors walk past it without even realizing what's inside.

The gallery takes its name from Ludvík Kuba (1863–1956), a painter, writer and ethnographer who was born in Poděbrady. Kuba spent his childhood and youth in the town, returned to it repeatedly throughout his life, and held several solo exhibitions here. Naming the gallery after him is a direct nod to a local artist who went on to earn recognition across Czechia.

What is on display?

The exhibition program focuses on contemporary and modern art, architecture and design. In doing so, the gallery continues a tradition of spa exhibitions that has run in various Poděbrady spa buildings since the resort was founded in 1908 — art and hydrotherapy have been paired here for more than a century.

The core of the permanent collection consists of works by leading figures of Czech modernism, including Vincenc Beneš, Antonín Hudeček, Otakar Hůrka, Ludvík Kuba himself, and Václav Radimský. These are names any fan of turn-of-the-century Czech painting will recognize, and seeing their work in the intimate, spa-town setting of Poděbrady feels quite different from viewing them in a large Prague museum.

Alongside the permanent holdings, the gallery regularly hosts temporary exhibitions — solo shows and group presentations alike, including displays tied to artist associations such as S. V. U. Mánes. The program changes several times a year, so it's worth checking current listings before a visit.

How to get there, and when to go?

The gallery sits in the central spa district of Poděbrady, within walking distance of the train station and the main spa hotels. It pairs naturally with a stroll through the spa park and colonnade — the whole outing fits comfortably into half a day.

Opening hours run Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–18:00; the gallery is closed on Mondays. A standard ticket costs 40 CZK, a reduced ticket (seniors 65+, students aged 15–26) costs 20 CZK, and children under 15 enter free. Since exhibitions rotate and hours can shift outside the summer season, it's worth calling or emailing ahead to confirm both before you plan a visit.

Who is this for?

This stop suits anyone taking a spa cure or a relaxing break in Poděbrady who wants a cultural change of pace without a trip to Prague. It also appeals to fans of Czech modernist painting, and to anyone curious about Ludvík Kuba himself — an artist little known outside Czechia, but whose body of work rewards a closer look.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? Yes. A standard ticket is 40 CZK, a reduced ticket is 20 CZK, and children under 15 enter free.

Who is the gallery named after? Ludvík Kuba (1863–1956), a painter, writer and ethnographer born in Poděbrady, who held several exhibitions of his own work here during his lifetime.

What are the opening days and hours? Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–18:00. The gallery is closed on Mondays.

Is it worth combining with the rest of the spa area? Definitely — the gallery sits right on the main colonnade, next to the Viola café and the central spa baths, so it fits naturally into a walk through the spa quarter.