Hospital Kuks reopened after repairs, interest from people was great

Kuks (Trutnov Region) - The Baroque hospital Kuks in the Trutnov Region opened to the public today after a two-year extensive reconstruction. About 1,300 people have already visited the exhibition. "It's an excellent turnout comparable to daily records during the July holidays in the best seasons," said the curator Libor Švec to ČTK. The hospital will also be open on Sunday and will enter the full tourist season on Wednesday, April 1.
    Today, the greatest interest was shown by people in the tour of the restored wall paintings from the Dance of Death series, which are part of the classical tour of the hospital. "There was interest in three other tours as well, such as the history of medicine production or the tomb of Count Špork," said Švec.
    Visitors came not only from Eastern Bohemia but also from further afield, such as Ostrava. "Even before 09:00, a group of people was standing at the ticket office. Every tour was fully booked. The reactions from the visitors were positive, many said they would come back when Kuks is green and in bloom," said the curator.
    From April 1 to the end of June, Kuks will be open daily except Mondays, and in July and August, it will be open every day. The admission fee for the basic tour of the hospital is 100 crowns, discounted tickets are 70 crowns, and family tickets are 270 crowns.
    The reconstruction of the hospital, costing nearly 440 million crowns, began in November 2011 with an archaeological survey, and the actual construction work started in June 2013. The last visitors toured the building before the reconstruction in the autumn of 2013.
    The renovation involved both exteriors and interiors, and the original herb garden was restored, where traditional varieties of herbs, fruits, and vegetables will be grown. The courtyard of the hospital was also returned to its appearance from the early 18th century. A multifunctional educational and training center was created in the former economic wing.
    The Baroque complex in Kuks began construction by Franz Anton Špork in 1692. The building activity peaked around 1710. From the originally extensive spa complex, only the hospital with the Church of the Holy Trinity and the crypt has survived. The castle and some other buildings were lost to floods and fire. The world-famous Braun sculptural decoration of the complex remains.