Purkyně Park

Purkyně Park (Czech: Purkyňovy sady) is a small, quiet green space in Poděbrady, roughly half a kilometer east of the town's main square, Jiřího náměstí. It takes its name from Jan Evangelista Purkyně, one of the most significant Czech scientists of the 19th century, and its monument to him is the park's main draw.

What stood here before the park was created?

For much of its history, the ground now occupied by Purkyně Park served an entirely different purpose: it was the town cemetery. Burials stopped here in 1903, after which the remains were relocated and the site was gradually turned into public greenery. Only later did the grounds take on the name of Jan Evangelista Purkyně.

Who was Jan Evangelista Purkyně, and what does the monument show?

Jan Evangelista Purkyně (1787–1869) was among the foremost Czech naturalists of his time, working in physiology and anatomy – a type of nerve cell described in medicine still carries his name today. His monument stands in the park's southwestern section and was unveiled in 1960, the work of sculptors Oskar Kozák and Jaroslav Štrunc. The bronze figure shows the scientist seated, dressed in a long frock coat draped over the back of the chair, one arm raised in a gesture, the other resting on the armrest. The statue sits on a pedestal of polished granite inscribed "Jan Ev. Purkyně 1787–1869."

What else is worth knowing before stopping by?

Purkyně Park sits in a quiet corner of Poděbrady, close enough to the main square that it's an easy addition to a short walk through town. The Poděbrady 1 post office stands nearby, which helps with orientation. The park itself is modest in size, and shouldn't be confused with the town's much larger spa park (Lázeňský park), home to the famous mineral-water colonnade in another part of Poděbrady.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Purkyně Park located? It lies in Poděbrady, in the Central Bohemian Region, about 500 meters east of Jiřího náměstí, near the Poděbrady 1 post office.

What was on this site before the park existed? A town cemetery, closed in 1903, after which its remains were moved elsewhere and the area was turned into a park.

When was the Purkyně monument unveiled? It was unveiled in 1960, created by sculptors Oskar Kozák and Jaroslav Štrunc.

Is this the same park as Poděbrady's famous colonnade? No – the mineral-water colonnade is located in a separate, much larger park, the Lázeňský park, elsewhere in town.