Nestled among the green hills of the Podkrkonoší region, where the air carries the scent of forests and peat, lies Spa Bělohrad (Lázně Bělohrad). If you are looking for a place that combines relaxation, wellness and trips into breathtaking nature, you have come to the right spot.

 

Peat Spa

The story of this former aristocratic residence, now a peaceful spa harnessing the healing power of nature, began at the end of the 19th century when Countess Anna von Asseburg laid the foundations for the local spa treatments.

The heart of the therapy is the rare mud from peat ponds in the nearby Bažantnice forest park. This dark, mineral-rich peat is used for baths, wraps and compresses, which help treat musculoskeletal disorders.

Address: Lázeňská 165, Lázně Bělohrad

 

Recommendation for policyholders:

If you are heading to the spa with a treatment voucher, treat yourself to the comfort and privacy of a single room. In addition to peace and quiet, you will enjoy a buffet breakfast and a wider selection of lunches and dinners, including a rich salad bar.

 

 

Where to park?

We parked for free on Jínova Street right by the Grand Hotel.

 

Our tip:

Craving the perfect pastry? Then visit the Grand Hotel café right in the spa resort. You will find fresh desserts from their own patisserie, a pleasant atmosphere, and in the summer, seating on the sunny terrace. It is open not just for spa guests.

 

Famous personalities

The unassuming Bělohrad Spa has attracted prominent figures for generations, offering them peace and inspiration. Among its regular guests were local natives—writer Karel Václav Rais and composer Karel Moor. The spa was also visited by poet Eliška Krásnohorská and writer Karel Jaromír Erben.

The Anna’s Peat Spa was a favourite of the legendary actor Oldřich Nový. Few know, however, that his daughter Jana found refuge here during World War II. Due to her mother’s Jewish ancestry, Nový hid her with the Lelka family—making Bělohrad not just a place of relaxation but also a secret sanctuary.

 

Tree of Life Spa Resort

If you are looking for the perfect combination of wellness and gastronomic experiences, this resort will delight you. It offers spa services in an elegant setting, but be prepared for higher prices.

 

Our tip:

A real hit are the themed dinners at the Vernissage hotel restaurant, which take you on a journey through different corners of the world via flavours and aromas.

 

Pardoubek Pond

Just behind the Tree of Life Resort lies the picturesque Pardoubek Pond. With an area of nearly 3 hectares, it invites visitors to relax and stroll along a new 2 km trail, which will delight not only children.

Why "Pardoubek"? The name comes from the "few little oaks" (pár doubků) planted on the dam—now majestic trees. And to make the trip even more magical, along the way, you will encounter wooden fairy-tale sculptures by Czech artists Robert Musil, Jan Paďour and Jaroslav Sucharda.

 

Our tip:

Take a stroll along the picturesque trail around the pond, relax on a bench and let yourself be drawn into the tranquil atmosphere. This is a place where time slows down, your heart rejoices and your soul recharges.

 

 

Church of All Saints

If you love Baroque, you can't miss the Church of All Saints. This architectural gem from 1689 has undergone a restoration of its main altar and now boasts a new tower clock, adding even more grandeur to the church.

Inside, you will be enchanted by the impressive altarpiece by academic painter A. Mühl, while a smaller but equally striking Madonna painting by Václav Březina lends the space an intimate atmosphere. This makes the church a perfect stop for lovers of history, art and spiritual experiences.

Address: Komenského 94, Lázně Bělohrad

 

Chateau and park Spa Bělohrad

On the edge of the town lies a Baroque gem—a chateau dating back to the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, which still exudes the elegance of bygone eras. Although its interiors, including the Chapel of Saint John the Evangelist, are not open to the public, its surroundings will enchant you.

Address: T. G. Masaryka 1, Lázně Bělohrad

 
Behind the chateau stretches a chateau park, where several treasures await you. The highlight is an Empire-style winter orangery, transformed in 1959 into the K. V. Rais Memorial. It offers two attractions—an exhibition dedicated to this famous Bělohrad writer and a gallery with seasonal exhibitions that bring the space to life from spring to autumn.

Address: Barákova 3, Lázně Bělohrad

 
While strolling through the park, you will also come across a unique collection of 18th-century boundary markers and a majestic lion statue, proudly representing the town's coat of arms.

 

K. V. Rais nature trail

A peaceful trip full of inspiration, history and beautiful scenery awaits on this nature trail, which guides you through the picturesque landscape beloved by writer K. V. Rais—from Spa Bělohrad to the romantic village of Byšičky and up to the top of Zvičina. The trail starts at the K. V. Rais Memorial and takes you to places the writer adored. Along the way, you will discover how breathtaking nature blends with folk architecture and cultural treasures. Each stop tells a story—about the famous writer’s life, the region’s history and the beauty of nature that has remained almost untouched.

 

K. V. Rais Square

When you step onto the square, your attention will immediately be drawn to the majestic Neo-Renaissance building of the Spa Hotel, constructed in the 19th century. It once served as the town hall and represented both the town and the spa.

But do you know why a nearby place is called "U Kadavého" ("At Kadavý's")? It’s not the name of a saint but a story about a simple labourer. Long ago, he used to stand by a column here, waiting for work—any work, even the hardest and dirtiest. He was a living symbol of the determination to provide for his family. People grew accustomed to him and named the spot after him as a tribute to all those unafraid of hard work.

So, when you stand here, remember Kadavý. Sometimes, even an ordinary story can say more than statues and monuments.

 

Timbered houses

If you love folk architecture and the atmosphere of bygone times, don’t miss a walk down the Třetí strana Street. Here, in the heart of the Podkrkonoší region, you will find beautifully preserved 19th-century timbered houses, a classic example of traditional craftsmanship in this area.

Walking among them feels like stepping back in time, when life was lived in harmony with natural materials and artisanal skill. Some houses are decorated with carved elements or charming gables, proving that even simple rural buildings could have their own unique style.

 

Bažantnice Forest Park

Looking for a place that combines tranquillity, history and the healing power of nature? Bažantnice Forest Park is perfect for relaxing walks with a spa tradition dating back to 1885.

Its greatest treasures are the local springs. The sulfur water forms picturesque peat ponds, and if you make it to the Vita Spring, you are in for a unique experience. The Vita Spring continues the century-old tradition of the original Annamarie (or Lion’s) Spring. Its exceptional mineral water benefits metabolism, making it worth a taste.

You will find the spring in a charming wooden pavilion with a pyramidal roof, adorned with a golden key—the symbol of the spa. The water flows from a stone pedestal directly from a lion’s mouth, giving the place an elegant atmosphere.

 

Church of Saint Peter and Paul in Byšičky

Embark on a magical 1.2 km journey from the Vita Spring to the ancient Church of Saint Peter and Paul. The path will lead you through a fragrant alley and a quiet forest to one of the oldest landmarks of the Podzvičínsko area, which inspired Karel Jaromír Erben’s ballad “The Wedding Shirts”.

The church, dating back to 1267, breathes history—once home to the last Czech hermit, it now enchants visitors with its restored Stations of the Cross featuring paintings by local artist František Koubek. When you step into the cemetery, you might feel an eerie chill —this is the very place where, according to Erben’s ballad, a terrifying scene with a dead bridegroom and white wedding shirts unfolded.

The place has a unique atmosphere: silence, a view of the Bělohrad basin and well-kept surroundings with a gazebo for relaxation. A perfect trip for those who love legends, history and wandering in nature.

 

Miletín

Just 8 km from Spa Bělohrad lies the picturesque town of Miletín, the birthplace of poet Karel Jaromír Erben and a place where the stories from his famous ballad collection Kytice (Bouquet) come to life. If you love poetry and unforgettable experiences, Miletín should definitely be on your travel list.

Walk along the nature trail, which starts at the poet’s birthplace and reveals the secrets of his life and creative genius at each stop. Where is the Water Goblin hiding? Where does the Noon Witch lurk? This is where you will discover the inspiration behind Erben’s most famous tales.

Address of the birthplace: Barbory Linkové 142, Miletín

 

Mysterious places from the Bouquet:

By the Bystřice stream stands a statue of Polednice (The Noon Witch), whose gaze alone is enough to give you goosebumps.

In the woods above Miletín hides the handsome lord from the poem Zlatý kolovrat (The Golden Spinning Wheel).

And if you wander near the Hluboký pond, remember Vodník (The Water Goblin)—perhaps he’s watching his next victim right now.

 
Miletín Chateau breathes stories dating back to the 12th century. Unfortunately, the chateau and its adjacent park are currently closed to the public. But don’t despair—you can still glimpse into its past.

Inside the chateau, you will find the Museum of Czech Amateur Theatre, a unique exhibition that takes you through the world of amateur plays, puppets and stage sets. Visits are possible by prior reservation, so if you love culture and history, don’t miss it.

Address: Na Parkáni 1, 507 71 Miletín

 

Parking:

We parked for free right on K. J. Erben Square.

 

 

Our sweet tip:

Do you love traveling not just through places but also through flavours? Then treat yourself to a sweet treasure with a stirring history—the legendary Miletínské modlitbičky (Miletín Prayer Cookies). These delicate gingerbread delights will enchant you at first bite, and once you discover the tradition behind them, you will want to taste them again and again.

Originally, they were small prayer books, but in 1864, local gingerbread maker Josef Erben had a brilliant idea—to turn them into a confection. Imagine a fragile gingerbread that gently crumbles under your fingers. Inside, you will find a rich filling of roasted walnuts and hazelnuts, perfectly contrasting with the delicate sugar glaze. And that almond on top as a symbol of the cross? It’s not just for flavour—it’s a reminder that this sweet creation has its roots in prayer books.

Sadly, the recipe was nearly forgotten before 1989, but after the Velvet Revolution, the Erben family revived the tradition, and today, the cookies are baked exactly according to the original method. And trust us, it’s worth it—the dough matures for a full six weeks to achieve that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.

When you taste them, close your eyes for a moment and savour not just their honeyed flavour but also the memory of the times when even President Masaryk himself enjoyed them.

And where did we buy this delicacy? Where else but at the Erbenovy Miletínské modlitbičky confectionery.

Address: náměstí K. J. Erbena 11, Miletín