This small Czech town along the Elbe River is known for its large safari park and zoo, 18th-century baroque buildings, and historic textile industry roots.
Dvůr Králové nad Labem sits in north-central Czechia along the Elbe River. You can walk through the 13th-century town center with its Renaissance square and Gothic church tower, or watch African animals roam freely at one of Europe's largest safari parks. The Safari Park houses rare northern white rhinos and lets you drive among zebras and giraffes.
Safari Park Activities
You can drive your own car through the African safari zones, where zebras, antelopes, and giraffes walk right next to vehicles. For the Lion Safari, you'll ride in reinforced trucks to see the lion pride up close. The indoor areas include a tropical pavilion with reptiles and amphibians, and Czechia's largest penguin colony with 24 birds. Kids can climb at the rope park or play in several adventure playgrounds. Stop by the gallery to see Zdeněk Burian's detailed wildlife paintings, or eat at the restaurant while watching lemurs on their island habitat.
Exploring T. G. Masaryka Square
The Old Town Hall stands in the center of T. G. Masaryka Square, its Renaissance facade decorated with geometric patterns and painted details. Walk around the square to see the 1909 Art Nouveau savings bank with its distinctive green-and-gold exterior, the white baroque Marian column from 1754, and an ornate stone fountain from 1857. Climb the Church of Saint John the Baptist's tower for views of the medieval Šindelářská Tower and the Elbe valley.
Day Trips Along the Elbe
Visit the Les Království dam, where Gothic-style towers with red roofs guard the gates. At Kuks Hospital, walk through gardens filled with baroque statues representing Virtues and Vices. The herb garden in Žireč grows next to a former Jesuit residence, while carved Braun's Bethlehem sculptures emerge from the forested hillside nearby. In summer, swim at the Tyrš outdoor pool or take a sightseeing flight to see the Elbe valley from above.
Local Culture
The town maintains its textile-making traditions through JUTA a.s., established in 1946. You can see the factory buildings along the river, where workers still process jute and hemp materials. The company's museum displays historical weaving equipment and explains the evolution of textile manufacturing in the region.
