New exhibition at Rychmburk Castle in the Chrudim region presents the development of the cosmos

Forecastle – At the Rychmburk Castle in the Chrudim region, visitors will be able to view an exhibition titled "Alchemy of the Planets" for the next four years. It presents the development of the cosmos, stars, and other bodies through the eyes of astrochemists and astrobiologists. The exhibition was prepared by the Regional Museum in Chrudim in collaboration with the Spectrometry Department of the Heyrovský Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. According to Martin Ferus from the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Academy, the foundation of the exhibition was created from large-scale models of planets, which have been expanded for Rychmburk with many other exhibits. It is unique in the world in its approach, as the universe is typically presented through the eyes of astronomers, that is, physicists, Ferus said.

"But the universe is also largely made up of chemistry, because the micro-world and chemical transformations are what make up the universe and what make us, living organisms. We are also a vast chemical universe in an even larger and immense universe that is as complex as we are," stated Ferus.

The exhibition guides visitors from the very beginning of the universe, that is, the formation of the first matter, atoms, and chemical elements, through the creation of the first stars and the formation of planets to the emergence of life. It shows the evolution of the cosmos from elementary particles, atoms, molecules to the first minerals and rocks up to their countless present-day varieties. It also presents the development of bodies in the solar system, planets, stars, Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land, and the first organisms.

The exhibition includes models of planets and other celestial bodies, meteorites, minerals, samples of molecules found in space, and interactive exhibits linking astronomy, chemistry, geology, and the genesis of life. It also addresses some significant questions of today's science regarding the origin of the universe. Some rooms are impressively painted black, creating a cosmic atmosphere.

At Rychmburk, archaeologists once found a fragment of an alchemical tripod. This connection is also reflected in the title of the new exhibition.

Rychmburk Castle in Forecastle, Chrudim region, which the Pardubice Region opened to tourists in 2021, was visited by over 18,000 people last year. Inside, visitors can see a bedroom from an inn, as well as several exhibitions on corporal punishment or brewing, an exhibition of Gothic altars from Chrudim, and a nine-room apartment of the steward, which, along with brewing, brings the atmosphere of the First Republic.