magical place no. 2, PODĚBRADY!

Introduction

Poděbrady is a small town of about 14000 inhabitants which is situated in the central Bohemia in the fertile lowland area about 50 km from Prague. It is also situated near to the D11 expressway. Poděbrady is a spa town spreaded out on both banks of the river Elbe near the confluence of the Elbe and the Cidlina. The name Poděbrady evolved from the name of ancient settlement called “pode brody“ (under the fords). Poděbrady has only a little industry – Glassworks Bohemia which produces cut lead crystal and a dairy which produces milk products. We also have one water cleaning facility. Poděbrady is an agricultural area.

History

The oldest historical reference goes back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Poděbrady started to develop around a gothic castle which was during centuries several times rebuilt. Poděbrady experienced its greatest period during the life of George of Poděbrady, who was elected Czech king in 1458. In 1452 Poděbrady was promoted to the status of a town and was granted important rights, privileges, including a town crest. Several devasting fires hit Poděbrady from the 17th to the 19th century. The square with arcades was burnt to the ground. That changed the face of the town completely. In 1905, a spring of mineral water (96,7 m deep) was found in the second courtyard of the Castle by Carl von Bülow. In 1908 the first succesful spa season was launched. The Royal spa of Poděbrady was opened. The focus on cardiovascular diseases hasn´t changed to this day and the slogan “For the heart is Poděbrady“ is still alive. Hundrets of guests recieve different forms of treatment, e. g. carbonic baths, balneotherapy, hydrotherapy, message e. t. c.  

Places of interest

·   The oldest part of the town is The Square of George of Poděbrady. It has always been a market centre. There is The Riding statue of King George made by the Czech sculptor Bohumil Schnirch and also the Plague Column (a Baroque monument to the plague in the 18th century).

·   The chateau was originally a castle in gothic style. It was later rebuilt in the style of Renaissance. Today is it the seat of various schools. Inside is a Memorial Hall of George of Poděbrady.

·   The old town hall is today a library and the information centre.

·   The new town hall is the seat of the town authorities and the ceremonial hall. There are some paintings by Ludvík Kuba (one of the best Czech painters) inside.

·   The Poděbrady Museum was established thanks to a local pharmacist Jan Hellich. He gave his collections to the museum. 

·   The park and the Promenade connests the railway station with the Square of King George. In the middle part of the Promenade we can find the flower clock and the dwarf who hits the mushroom with the hammer every hour who is loved by all the children. There are a lot of flowers, trees and staues in the park. You can find a big fontaine there in the park. Along the Promenade there are many spa houses, restaurants, shops and hotels.

·   The Miners´ church was built in the 16th century to commemorate the innocent victims of the execution of the rebelious miners from Kutná Hora in 1496.

·   The Catholic Church is a historically valuable building, which now has a neo-Gothic appearance.

·   The path along the river is good for shorter or longer walks. You can meet there lots of cyclists, couples going for a walk, runners or dogs going out with their masters. 

Leisure time

·   Sport facilities

If people want to do some sports in Poděbrady they have lots of oportunities. There are football stadiums, basketball halls, a golf course, tennis courts, the area of the Riding Club with a race course, the Jezero natural swimming pool, a skate park or an area of squash courts and bowling in Poděbrady. We can go fishing or swimming. There are some lakes near to the town. In winter there is an ice rink in the stadium or sometimes there is ice also on the lakes.

·   Culture

Some traditional festivals such as the Prix Bohemia Radio Festival or the Crystal Heart Film and TV Festival occur in Poděbrady.Cultural life also provides the Na Kovárně Theater and the cinema – both are located in the first courtyard of the chateau.There is also a possibility to take a sightseeing cruise on the King George's excursion boat.

·   Schools

About 10 kindergartens, three primary schools, one grammar-school, one private grammar-school - Ekogymnazium, one special primary school for disabled, handicapped children, one hotel high school, one agricultural high school and one training college for cooks and waiters. There is also one part of the Charles university in Poděbrady. 

·   Shopping and eating 

   Many restaurants offer hundreds kinds of delicious food.