A quick stop to view the chateau and English park at Kopidlno: 1 km

• If travelling between Jičín and Poděbrady on the main road 32, consider a quick stop in the town of Kopidlno, for a short walk around the English park which surrounds the interesting neo-Renaissance chateau which overlooks the main street. The chateau was built on the probable site of a late medieval water castle and owes its current form to the reconstructions initiated by the noble Czech Šlik family, who acquired the estate in 1638.
• The large fish pond which lies next to the chateau was constructed in the 16th century, while the current neo-Renaissance architecture and English park were initiated by Ervín Šlik in the late 19th century. The chateau is today used as a horticultural school, which maintains the park and pond area.
• Although the chateau is inaccessible, the well maintained park area may be viewed on a short walk around the paths near the pond. There is an interesting late 19th century greenhouse in the park, apparently modelled after the famous Schönbrunn greenhouse in Vienna.
• The fine Baroque town church is sometimes attributed to the legendary Czech/Italian architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, but is actually believed to be the work of another early 18th century architect. It is, however, still worth a look!
• The footpaths in park are flat (less than 1 km in length) and although occasionally muddy, can be managed with a stroller. For refreshments, try the cukrárna on the main square. There is also a stylish new bakery near chateau park entrance.

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Directions

• The entrance to the park is at the south end of the main square, where there are parking spaces
• The obvious main footpath circles around the park area on the south side of the pond, passing the greenhouse