Discover Zásmuky: Castle, Churches and Trails

Zásmuky between Castle History and Short Routes

Zásmuky combines a layered local history with cultural attractions and excursion routes that begin right in the town. You can reach Zásmuky by bus from Kolín, Kutná Hora and Prague, including PID route 381 from Skalka. For orientation in the town, the castle complex with its preserved farmyard is an important landmark: it is located in the town centre and is urbanistically connected with the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the rectory.

Castle, Exhibition and Churches

Visitors can enter the castle grounds through the gate and explore the courtyard and castle park. The Zásmuky Cultural and Exhibition Hall is located in the castle complex on Komenského Square. Its gallery is housed in a Baroque hall in the forecourt dating from the 17th century. The permanent historical exhibition traces the development of Zásmuky: from a medieval fortress and a Romanesque church through a serf village, a castle and a monastery to a town.

The town's history includes several very different religious buildings. Today's Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built between 1900 and 1903 as a pseudo-style church based on plans by the builder J. Krcha. The church complex also includes a Baroque sandstone depiction of the Virgin Mary dating from around 1700. The Franciscan Monastery was founded for the Franciscans; construction began in 1691 and was completed in 1694. The Church of Saint Francis Seraphicus is a simple Baroque church without a tower. The Franciscan Monastery and the monastery church are not normally open to the public, but concerts are held there several times a year.

Easy Routes from Komenského Square

Several routes begin at Komenského Square and combine local history with outdoor activity. The Zásmuky–Kouřim educational trail is a physically easy 9 km route along a stream. Near Vlčí důl stands a listed Baroque bridge. The short and easy “Baroque Bridges and Rock Formations” route also begins in Zásmuky Square.

The “Pokorného secesní fasády” route starts at Komenského Square and leads to a series of rural Art Nouveau façades in the Kouřimsko region. They were created by Bedřich Pokorný, who was born in Zásmuky. You will find another historical trace on Polákova Street: a house with a commemorative plaque marks the birthplace of the poet of the Czech National Revival, Milota Zdirad Polák.

An old lime-tree avenue leads from Zásmuky to the Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The chapel is a Neo-Gothic cemetery chapel from the 1860s with a Baroque core dating from 1681. The Zásmucká bažantnice educational trail begins and ends at the entrance to the former pheasantry on Barákova Street in Zásmuky.

Cycle Routes and Landscape

Two cycle routes with the same starting and finishing point are available for longer excursions. The Vavřinecká dvacítka route starts and ends in Zásmuky and is 22 km long. It follows footpaths, forest tracks and paved roads, initially through a valley and then downhill from higher ground in the second half. The Zásmuky–Route 2 is 56 km long and also starts and ends in Zásmuky. The different lengths make it easier to assess the desired tour when planning it.

The Zámecká obora game park extends north of the castle building. It can be accessed via several paths and via the yellow hiking trail marking for Zásmuky–Toušice. At the edge of the lower part of the game park, a wildlife tunnel allows red deer to move between the two sections. The Zásmucká Porcinkule is a traditional pilgrimage event; in some Czech towns, Porcinkule is celebrated on the first weekend in August.

More Places to Research

Krakovany, Masojedy, Dolní Chvatliny, Polní Chrčice, Starý Kolín, Lipec, Lošany and Němčice.

To the main travel overview: Kolín District.