Discover Luže: Baroque Architecture, Castle History and an Exceptional Park

Luže combines Baroque ecclesiastical architecture, local history and remarkable plant diversity. Anyone who does not want to limit their stay in the Czech Republic to a single excursion destination will find a variety of themes here: a pilgrimage church that can be dated precisely, a Jewish cemetery accessible seasonally, routes to important historic buildings, and a park open year-round with plants from six continents.

Baroque Pilgrimage Church and the History of Košumberk

The strongest cultural and historical highlight is the Baroque pilgrimage church of Panny Marie Pomocné na Chlumku in Luže. It was built between 1690 and 1695 by the Italian architect G. B. Alliprandi according to a design by P. I. Bayer. The church therefore provides not only a religious focal point but also a concrete example of Baroque architecture and the history of a building whose origins can be traced through its names, design and construction period.

The local history also includes the local-history educational trail in Luže. It presents the history of Košumberk Castle and thus directs attention to the past of the castle complex. The route known as Šilboch is important for exploring the area on foot or by bicycle: it leads from the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk to the courtyard of Košumberk Castle. In Luže, cultural and historical themes can therefore be discovered not only through individual buildings but also along routes and an educational trail.

Seasonal Visits and Year-Round Nature Experiences

The Jewish cemetery in Luže is freely accessible to all tourists during the summer season.

Hamzovo Park and Arboretum has a different character. It is open to the public free of charge year-round. Approximately 1,500 cultivars of trees, shrubs and plants from six continents grow across 13 hectares. The term cultivars refers to deliberately selected or cultivated plant forms. The size of the grounds, the approximate number of cultivars and their origins on several continents make the arboretum an independent nature and discovery attraction within Luže. It complements the town’s architecture and history with a distinctly different way of experiencing the destination.

Luže Between Walking Trails and Cycling Routes

The main routes to Luže’s most important historic buildings were selected primarily for pedestrians and cyclists. The Šilboch route leads from the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk to the courtyard of Košumberk Castle; the local-history educational trail presents the history of Košumberk Castle.

For families wishing to combine culture and nature at different points throughout the day, Luže offers several clearly distinct options: the Baroque pilgrimage church, the seasonally accessible Jewish cemetery, the history of Košumberk Castle, routes for walking and cycling, and the year-round Hamzovo Park and Arboretum. It is precisely this combination of architectural history, themed routes and an internationally diverse plant world that makes the town versatile to explore.

More Destinations for Your Search

If you would like to include destinations besides Luže in your search, you can also find Zaječice, Všeradov, Hroubovice, Dolívka, Dřenice, Jeníkov, Hlinsko V Cechách and Jenišovice U Chrudimi.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Chrudim.