Lysá nad Labem Castle

Lysá nad Labem Castle is a baroque residence built on the site of a much older stronghold, one whose owners, style and purpose kept changing over the centuries — from a medieval fort to a royal renaissance retreat, and finally to the Špork family seat surrounded by one of the most remarkable sculpture gardens in the Czech Republic.

How did this site begin?

A fortified stronghold is recorded on the site as early as the 11th century. The gothic fort was later rebuilt into a renaissance residence, and after a fire in 1560, during the reign of Ferdinand I, a renaissance castle emerged that served as a royal summer and hunting seat. Emperor Rudolf II was also fond of visiting, drawn by the surrounding hunting grounds.

What changed under the Špork family?

The turning point came in 1647, when the imperial general Jan Špork acquired the estate, ushering in a period of marked prosperity for the town. The castle's present form results from three successive baroque rebuildings — the first, in the second half of the 17th century under Jan Špork, produced the east wing, which survives to this day.

After Jan Špork's death, the estate passed to his son, František Antonín Špork, who made the most significant changes. In 1696 he restored an Augustinian monastery, built a new parish church, and added a Chapel of the Three Kings. That same year he also laid out an ornamental garden beside the castle — the libosad — the seed of today's park. His son-in-law, František Karel Sweerts-Špork, later expanded it to its present 21 hectares in 1744.

What can visitors see in the castle park?

The castle park is famous for its baroque allegorical sculptures, created in the 1730s in the workshop of Matyáš Bernard Braun. Along the park's main axis stand the allegories of the twelve months (from 1735), while the terrace staircases are flanked by allegories of the four elements — Water and Earth on one side, Fire and Air on the other. Between the staircases stand figures representing the four seasons — Flora for spring, Ceres for summer, Bacchus for autumn and Saturn for winter — while other parts of the garden hold allegories of Day and Night and of the continents. The scale and quality of these works are often compared to the celebrated ensemble at Kuks, another site tied to the Špork family.

The park itself is divided into two contrasting sections: a formal French-style libosad and a more relaxed English park. Unlike the castle's interior, the garden is open to the public.

What survives inside the castle?

Of the original furnishings, mainly the ceiling and wall paintings remain. The first-floor hall ceiling depicts Old Testament scenes alongside mythological motifs, while its walls show vedute of Paris and Versailles. The second-floor hall ceiling portrays scenes of biblical paradise framed by smaller medallions with mythological and allegorical themes, and its walls depict battle scenes featuring General Jan Špork.

What happened to the castle after the Šporks?

The Špork family, and later their relatives the Sweerts-Šporks, held the Lysá nad Labem estate until 1851, when they sold it for 820,000 guilders to Princess Štěpánka Rohanová. Following the First World War, the Czechoslovak state took over the estate from the Kinský family as part of the land reform.

How is the castle used today?

Since 1961 the castle building has served as a retirement home — it houses Domov Na Zámku, a residential care facility for seniors. As a result, its interiors are not open to visitors, and tourists mainly come to admire the surrounding park and its baroque sculptures.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors tour the interior of Lysá nad Labem Castle? No — since 1961 the building has housed a retirement home, and its interiors are not open to tourists.

What is the site's biggest attraction? The castle park with its baroque allegorical sculptures from the workshop of Matyáš Bernard Braun, including allegories of the months, the seasons and the elements.

Who funded the castle's and garden's expansion? The Špork family — first Jan Špork in the second half of the 17th century, then his son František Antonín Špork, who founded the garden in 1696.

Is the park open to the public? Yes, unlike the castle interior, the park is open and accessible to visitors.