Sculpture park at Saint Godehard in Hořice

The Sculpture Park at Saint Godehard in Hořice is an open-air gallery of stone carvings spread across a hillside above the Bystřice river valley, a short walk from the town centre. More than a hundred sandstone works by artists from Europe, Asia and America sit within a landscaped setting that's free to enter at any time of year.

How did the sculptures end up on Gothard hill?

The park dates back to 1966, when Hořice launched its tradition of international sculpture symposia. The initiative came from academic sculptor Vladimír Preclík. For the first four years, architect Josef Wagner planned how each new piece would be placed within the landscape, giving the site a coherent, park-like feel rather than a row of statues lined up for display. Sculptures sit among the trees and natural slopes of the hill instead of standing on a flat, orderly ground.

Why sandstone, and why Hořice?

The Chlumy hills above the town have long supplied high-quality Cenomanian sandstone. Intensive quarrying began there in the second half of the 19th century, first for construction and industrial uses — including abrasive materials — before the stone became prized mainly for artistic and decorative work. That local stone-carving tradition gave the sculpture symposia their natural material and drew sculptors from around the world who wanted to work in it.

What's it like to walk through the park?

Because the works are set out across open slopes rather than flat paths, a visit feels more like a hillside walk than a museum stroll. Views over the Bystřice valley accompany much of the route, and individual sculptures reveal themselves gradually as the path winds between trees and different sections of the hillside.

How do you get there?

From the main square in Hořice, a red-marked hiking trail leads to the park — the walk takes about ten minutes heading east. Drivers can follow signs directly to the sculpture park, a roughly three-minute trip by car.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, the park is open to everyone free of charge, year-round.

How many sculptures are on display? More than a hundred sandstone works, created by artists from Europe, Asia and America.

Who founded the park? Sculptor Vladimír Preclík started the tradition of sculpture symposia in 1966, and architect Josef Wagner designed the placement of the earliest works within the landscape.

How do I walk there from the town centre? Follow the red tourist trail eastward from the main square; it takes about ten minutes on foot.

Why are the sculptures made of sandstone? The nearby Chlumy hills have been a source of Cenomanian sandstone since the 19th century, and that local material naturally became the basis for the town's sculpture tradition.

Is the park suitable for families with children? The terrain is uneven and slopes in places, so comfortable shoes help, but the route is short and open to walkers of any age.