Zásmuky is defined by a castle complex in the town centre. The preserved farmyard is urbanistically connected with the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the rectory. The present Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built between 1900 and 1903 as a pseudo-historic church according to plans by the builder J. Krcha; its complex also includes a Baroque sandstone statue of the Virgin Mary dating from around 1700.
History and Architecture
The Zásmuky cultural and exhibition hall is located in the castle complex on Komenského Square. It houses a gallery in a Baroque hall in the forecourt dating from the 17th century. The permanent historical exhibition charts the development of Zásmuky from a medieval stronghold and a Romanesque church through a serf village, a castle and a monastery to a town.
The castle grounds can be entered through the gate; the courtyard and castle park can be visited there. The Franciscan monastery, founded for the Franciscans, was built between 1691 and 1694. Its Church of St Francis Seraphicus is a simple Baroque church building without a tower. The monastery and monastery church are not normally open to the public, but concerts are held there several times a year.
An old lime-tree avenue leads from Zásmuky to the Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The chapel is a Neo-Gothic cemetery chapel from the 1860s with a Baroque core dating from 1681. In Polákova Street, a house with a commemorative plaque marks the birthplace of the poet of the Czech national revival, Milota Zdirad Polák.
At the Old School on Komenského Square, the town coat of arms is located above a memorial to the victims of the First World War. The Zásmucká Porcinkule is associated with the town’s Franciscan church. It is a traditional pilgrimage; in some Czech towns, the Porcinkule is celebrated on the first weekend in August.
Paths and Routes
The “Pokorného secesní fasády” route begins at Komenského Square in Zásmuky and leads to a series of rural Art Nouveau façades in the Kouřimsko area, created by Bedřich Pokorný, who was born in Zásmuky.
The Zásmuky–Kouřim educational trail is a physically easy, 9 km-long route from Komenského Square along a stream. Near Vlčí důl there is a protected Baroque bridge. Another short and easy route, the “Baroque Bridges and Rock Formations” route, begins in Zásmuky’s square.
Two routes of different lengths for cyclists begin and end in Zásmuky: the Vavřinecká dvacítka cycle route is 22 km long, while the Zásmuky–Trasa 2 cycle route measures 56 km. The Vavřinecká dvacítka runs along footpaths, forest roads and paved roads, initially through a valley and, in the second half, downhill from higher ground.
The Zásmucká bažantnice educational trail begins and ends at the entrance to the former pheasantry on Barákova Street in Zásmuky. The route thereby preserves the historical name of the former pheasantry.
Nature and Landscape
The Zámecká obora extends north of the castle building. It can be reached via several paths as well as by the yellow hiking trail marking on the Zásmuky–Toušice route. At the edge of the lower part of the game park, a wildlife tunnel allows red deer to move between its two sections.
Getting There
Zásmuky can be reached by bus from Kolín, Kutná Hora and Prague, including PID route 381 from Skalka.
More local pages: Kolín, Němčice, Plaňany, Radovesnice I, Veletov, Český Brod, Přehvozdí, Krakovany.
