Kostelec Nad Cernými Lesy

Kostelec nad Černými lesy brings together ceramics, history and regional discoveries within an unusually small area. Between the Renaissance castle, historic brewery, museums and educational trails, it offers a destination that appeals both to culture enthusiasts and to families with diverse interests.

Castle, brewery and a special annual event

Kostelec nad Černými lesy Castle was built as a Renaissance castle on the site of a 13th-century royal castle and later remodelled in the Baroque style. The historical changes can therefore be seen directly in the building itself. Its architectural history combines medieval origins with Renaissance and Baroque phases; a visit thus brings several historical periods together in one place. The Keramický den, held regularly on the last Saturday in May, adds a distinctive cultural highlight.

The Černokostelecký pivovar also reflects the history of the town. Its complex is an exceptionally well-preserved ensemble of industrial architecture, featuring unique technology from the First Republic period. The National Museum of Brewing is housed in the unique, authentic premises of the historic brewery, malt house and malt mill of Kostelec nad Černými lesy. In addition, the Černokostelecký pivovar offers beers from various Czech microbreweries.

Ceramics as a common thread throughout your stay

Ceramics shape Kostelec nad Černými lesy not only as an exhibition topic. The Muzeum keramiky displays a collection by Michaela Třeštík and Jana Novák containing more than 1,300 ceramic pieces. The Vondráčkova továrna also houses a newly established ceramics workshop that is open to the public. The ceramics workshop offers courses to the general public covering the handling of clay, throwing on the potter’s wheel and glazing. This makes it possible to combine a museum visit with practical insight into ceramics.

Educational trails for short walks and nature discoveries

For a manageable outing, the Lesárium educational trail is 300 metres long and includes 15 interactive elements. The educational trail through the wetlands in the FLD Arboretum near Kostelec nad Černými lesy focuses on a different subject. Across ten stations, it provides information about various models of protected wetlands, with an emphasis on woody plants. The two educational trails therefore have different focuses: one uses interactive elements, while the other provides information about natural history. This gives you a choice for planning your day between a short, interactive circular walk and a series of nature-focused stations with a different emphasis.

Other destinations in the surrounding region

The wider region around Kostelec nad Černými lesy includes Konopiště, a castle; Práče, a fortress; and Mod, a viewpoint. The surrounding area also includes Dolánka [Tismice], Obícka [Lhotky u Malotic], (Na Spravedlnosti) [Český Brod] and (Na Marjánce) [Zvánovice], each a hill. Those who do not want to focus their stay exclusively on the town’s cultural attractions can include these diverse destinations in their broader itinerary.

For further travel planning, you can also explore Vyšehořovice, Mnichovice U Říčan, Oleška, Máslovice, Žernovka, Zvánovice, Veliš and Řež.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Praha-Východ.