Sady S. K. Neumanna

Sady S. K. Neumanna is a municipal park in Poděbrady, laid out in the Kostelní předměstí quarter of the Poděbrady III district. It sits beside a former (blind) arm of the Skupice River, on the right bank of the Elbe, in the Nymburská kotlina lowland. It's the kind of spot in this spa town where visitors slow down for a while — away from the bustle of the center, yet still an easy walk from it.

Why is the park named after Neumann?

The park carries the name of Stanislav Kostka Neumann (1875–1947), a Czech poet, essayist and left-wing, anarchist-leaning public figure — one of the notable names in early-20th-century Czech literature. Neumann's connection to Poděbrady dates back to the 1930s, when serious illness brought him here for treatment at the town's spa facilities. Poděbrady became his home from 1934 until the wartime occupation, and it's this chapter of his biography that the park commemorates.

What's there to see?

The centerpiece of the park is a monument with a bust of Neumann, unveiled in 1960. The larger-than-life bronze bust was created by sculptor Karel Lidický (1900–1976), with the architectural setting designed by Vojtěch Kerhart (1892–1978). It's a spot worth pausing at — not just for the sculpture itself but for the quiet greenery surrounding it.

The park itself follows an English landscape-park layout: informal paths and loose groupings of trees rather than the rigid geometry of a French-style garden. The nearby water of the Skupice's old riverbed adds to the appeal and makes for pleasant, longer walks.

What is the park used for today?

Sady S. K. Neumanna functions as a typical city park — a place for rest, recreation and sport. Occasional social, sporting and cultural events also take place here, which keeps the park a lively part of town rather than just a green space to pass through. It's often described as an oasis of calm and nature in Poděbrady, a fitting label especially compared with the busier parts of the spa town.

Who is this park for?

It suits anyone looking for a quiet break between spa treatments or a stroll through Poděbrady's historic center. It also works well as a short family outing or a stop along cycling and running routes that trace the Elbe and Skupice — the area has marked walking and running trails connecting different parts of town.

Frequently asked questions

Who was S. K. Neumann and why does he have a park named after him in Poděbrady? Stanislav Kostka Neumann (1875–1947) was a Czech poet and essayist with left-wing, anarchist views. He came to Poděbrady in the 1930s for medical treatment and lived there from 1934 until the occupation, which is why the town named its municipal park after him.

What is the park's main attraction? A 1960 monument with a bust of Neumann — a larger-than-life bronze work by sculptor Karel Lidický and architect Vojtěch Kerhart.

Where exactly is the park located? In the Kostelní předměstí quarter of the Poděbrady III district, beside the old arm of the Skupice River, on the right bank of the Elbe.

Are there events held in the park? Yes, besides its everyday recreational role for locals and spa visitors, the park occasionally hosts social, sporting and cultural events.