A tour of the Smokes
A historic town with a well-preserved square and city walls
Kouřim is a town located east of Prague, about in the middle of the road between Prague and Kutná Hora. The city is a remarkably well-preserved complex with a medieval floor plan, a large part of the walls and the Gothic church of St. Thanks to the preservation of the medieval floor plan and a large part of the city walls, the historical core of the city was declared a city monument zone. The city and the adjacent open-air museum have become a popular place for filmmakers. Probably the most famous work that was shot here is the TV series „There were five of us“.
Peace square
The square has been preserved in its original extent since the founding of the city and is one of the largest squares in Czech medieval cities. The current paving dates from the middle of the 19th century. Beneath the square are hidden intricate underground corridors of a hitherto unknown extent. On the square is, among other things, the Marian Fountain from 1850.
Church of St. Stephen's bell tower
The main landmark and architectural treasure of the city is the Church of St. It was built in the 1960s as a three-nave early Gothic basilica and despite numerous fires it has been preserved almost in its original form. cities. This prismatic tower from 1525, represents the most important preserved Renaissance building in Kouřim. The bell tower is known mainly for hanging its bells with the heart up.
Urban monument zone
The town houses around the perimeter of the square are of medieval origin with Gothic cellars. The houses originally had arcades and rich gables. After the fire in 1811, the house gables towards the square were removed and the arcades were walled up.
Museum building
A museum has been set up in the former late Baroque building of the old town hall on the square. Among the exhibits is the Czech Chronicle by Václav Hájek from Libočany from 1541 or the book of city rights from the 16th century.
City fortifications
Extensive sections of the outer fortification belt with 18 half-cylindrical towers, four bastions and a rampart on the western and northern sides of the town, which is one of the longest preserved city fortifications in Bohemia, have been preserved around the city center. Gardens were established between the inner and outer zones of the walls, which had a predominantly utilitarian function
Prague Gate
Of the original four city entrance gates, only the Prague Gate has been preserved. This Gothic two-storey tower is considered to be the best preserved early Gothic city gate in Europe.
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