Kostelecký zámecký park

Kostelecký zámecký park is an extensive landscape park attached to the castle in Kostelec nad Orlicí, laid out between 1829 and 1835 on the initiative of Count Joseph Ervin Kinský, a member of the Kinský family, whose branch had been tied to the Kostelec estate since the late 18th century. The park was created alongside the construction of the new castle and was designed from the outset in the English landscape style — open lawns, winding walking paths and loosely arranged groups of trees, a deliberate contrast to the formal, geometric French gardens that had dominated aristocratic estates earlier.

How big is the park and what grows there?

The castle park covers roughly 42 hectares, making it one of the larger parks of its kind in the Orlické Mountains foothills. It is home to around 200 tree species, combining native Central European trees with exotic specimens introduced during the 19th century, reflecting the era's fashion for dendrological collections at aristocratic residences. Old-growth trees, some of them protected as natural monuments, form a dense canopy crossed by walking paths that lead toward the castle and the Divoká Orlice river, along whose bank the park stretches.

Why was the park declared a nature reserve?

In March 1949, Kostelecký zámecký park was granted protected status as a nature reserve. The original motivation was to safeguard nesting and feeding grounds for birds — the park has long been recognized as an important ornithological site in the region, attracting both woodland species and birds tied to the open water of the nearby river. Over time, protection extended to the tree stock itself and to the overall character of the landscape composition, valued for the age of its plantings and its species diversity.

What is worth seeing in spring?

In spring, the park becomes one of the region's more recognizable natural attractions thanks to the mass flowering of spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) — a bulbous plant resembling a snowdrop that carpets the forest floor in vast numbers, forming sweeping white drifts beneath the old tree canopy. This spectacle draws walkers and nature lovers from across the region to Kostelec nad Orlicí, with the short blooming window in March and April becoming something of an annual ritual for local visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the park free? The castle park in Kostelec nad Orlicí is an open, publicly accessible green space, separate from the castle courtyard, which is covered by its own ticketed visiting system.

When is the best time to visit? Early spring is the most distinctive season, when the spring snowflakes bloom, but the park is appealing year-round thanks to its mature trees and its location along the Divoká Orlice river.

Does the park border the castle? Yes, the park was laid out at the same time as the new castle was built in the 19th century and forms its natural landscaped setting, designed as a unified composition with the residence.

Why is the park significant for birdwatchers? Thanks to its old trees, water and habitat diversity, the park serves as a nesting and feeding ground for numerous bird species, which was the direct reason it was placed under nature reserve protection in 1949.