Neulust

Neulust is a ruined hunting lodge near the village of Uhersko, in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. Also known as Theresienlust, only fragments of its foundations and walls survive today, but the spot still draws walkers for its forest surroundings and views over the village below.

How to get there?

The ruin lies about 11 km northwest of Vysoké Mýto, along the road connecting Uhersko and Trusnov, on the edge of the Bažantnice nature reserve. It's a quiet, wooded corner of the Pardubice Region, well known among hikers and cyclists exploring eastern Bohemia. The site is reachable by car via local roads from Vysoké Mýto or Chrudim, with the final stretch to the ruin itself covered on foot along a forest path.

What will you see?

The lodge was built in 1790 in Rococo style on the initiative of Filip Kinský, owner of the Chroustovice estate. He named it Theresienlust in honor of his widowed sister Theresa — the source of the property's German name, still used alongside the shorter "Neulust." The building stood within a former French-style park, giving the whole ensemble the character of an elegant leisure retreat rather than a defensive structure.

The lodge itself took the form of a two-story, tower-like building on an octagonal plan, topped with a shingled roof and flanked by four wings radiating from the central block. This layout was typical of hunting lodges of the period, combining a representative function with a practical one — the building served as a place to rest after hunts organized in the surrounding forests.

The estate's fortunes changed in 1823, when Karel Alexander Thurn-Taxis became the new owner. Under his ownership, the lodge began to fall into disrepair. The side wings were demolished in the mid-19th century, and in 1906 the central building along with the kitchen wing was torn down as well. Only modest remains of the foundations and walls have survived to the present day, while the former cellars have been preserved underground.

The site today

In 2016, the grounds of the former lodge were redeveloped for visitors, with a rest area featuring benches, a fire pit, and a view over the village of Uhersko spread out in the valley below. The Neulust ruin is open year-round, free of charge, with no restricted hours, making it a convenient stop for a short walk during a longer trip through the area. The site is regarded as a remnant of 18th-century aristocratic hunting culture and is tied to the history of the Kinský family, one of the region's prominent noble houses.

When to visit?

Since Neulust is an open-air ruin set within the forest of the Bažantnice reserve, spring and summer are the best times to visit, when the approach path is easiest to walk and the views from the site over the village look their best. Autumn, with fewer visitors around, offers a quieter experience, and the changing colors of the forest add to the walk. It's worth combining a visit with a walk through the Bažantnice reserve itself or a stop in nearby Vysoké Mýto.

Frequently asked questions

What was the Neulust lodge originally built for? It was a hunting lodge built in 1790 in Rococo style by Filip Kinský, named Theresienlust after his sister Theresa, and used as a resting place after hunts in the surrounding forests.

Why does only a ruin remain today? The building fell into decline after 1823 under owner Karel Alexander Thurn-Taxis, its side wings were demolished in the mid-19th century, and the central building with the kitchen wing was torn down in 1906.

What can visitors see on site today? Modest remains of the foundations, walls, and former underground cellars survive, and since 2016 the site has featured a rest area with benches, a fire pit, and a view of the village of Uhersko.

Is there an entrance fee for the ruin? No — the Neulust ruin is freely accessible year-round, with no entrance fee and no restricted opening hours.