Cultural Monuments of Luhacovice

Luhacovice — a Town of 30 Cultural Monuments

Luhacovice is not just a spa town. Within its urban heritage zone, stretching two kilometres from the railway station along Masaryk Avenue to the spa park, there are 30 immovable cultural monuments listed in the Central Register of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic. Added to these is a unique archaeological site — a Slavic burial mound cemetery on Obora hill.

The heritage zone was established to protect this exceptional urban ensemble where Dusan Jurkovic's Art Nouveau architecture blends with Classicist and Baroque villas, spa pavilions, and sacred buildings. A full 92 percent of the protected buildings in the core zone remain in the ownership of Lazne Luhacovice, a.s., and continue to serve their original purpose — therapeutic, accommodation, and social. It is precisely this authenticity that led to the nomination of the spa centre for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Jurkovic's Buildings — Art Nouveau Inspired by Folk Art

Slovak architect Dusan Samo Jurkovic (1868–1947) gave Luhacovice their unmistakable character. Between 1902 and 1903, he designed a series of buildings in a unique style known as folk Art Nouveau — a fusion of Moravian and Slovak folklore with the principles of modern Art Nouveau. Today, eight of his heritage-protected buildings survive in Luhacovice.

Jurkovic House

Address: Lazenske namesti 109 | Reg. no.: 20965/7-1972

The symbolic centre of Jurkovic's work in Luhacovice. This spa house with a richly decorated facade and memorial plaque stands directly on the main spa square and is the starting point for a walk along Jurkovic's buildings. The UNESCO nomination was centred here.

Wikipedia

Chaloupka

Address: Lazenske namesti 126 | Reg. no.: 10453/7-8500

A log cabin villa designed by Jurkovic as a recreational building. Its folk ornamentation and timber construction represent one of the purest examples of folk Art Nouveau in the spa.

Villa Jestrabi

Address: Leose Janacka 238 | Reg. no.: 38589/7-1975

A striking building on the northern edge of the spa park, named after the nearby Jestrabi spring. Jurkovic's villa with a footbridge and characteristic wooden elements marks the northern boundary of the proposed UNESCO zone.

Wikipedia

Hydrotherapy Institute and Sun Baths with Swimming Pool

Address: Leose Janacka 97, 124, 320 | Reg. no.: 32562/7-1971

An extensive complex comprising hydrotherapy facilities, changing rooms, a pool, and peat baths. Jurkovic's concept merged functional hygiene with aesthetic experience — the wooden cabins and pavilions still serve spa guests today.

Wikipedia

Valaska

Address: Betty Smetanove 388 | Reg. no.: 44170/7-8918

A spa pavilion named after the shepherd's hatchet — the valaska. This 1902 building is one of the smaller but architecturally most charming of Jurkovic's Luhacovice designs.

Inhalatorium

Address: Dr. Palka Blaho 361 | Reg. no.: 101678

A spa house designed for inhalation therapy. Jurkovic created it as a functional medical facility with typical Art Nouveau decoration. It became a protected monument only in 2005.

Wikipedia

Tennis Pavilion

Address: Lazenske namesti 427 | Reg. no.: 29250/7-8869

A small structure by the tennis courts in the spa park. Even on this sports pavilion, Jurkovic applied his signature ornamental style.

Bedrich Smetana House

Address: Lazenske namesti 308 | Reg. no.: 36144/7-1976

A spa house bearing the name of the Czech composer. The building from Jurkovic's creative period combines recreational and therapeutic functions with distinctive architecture.

Wikipedia

Historic Villas — Belle Epoque Architecture

Around Jurkovic's landmark buildings, a number of villas were built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, completing the character of the spa town. Each bears its own name, story, and architectural character.

Villa Lipova — Museum

Address: Lazenske namesti 95 | Reg. no.: 46951/7-8966

A villa with a spa museum and footbridge. Located right in the centre of the spa square, it presents the history of the Luhacovice spa from its beginnings.

Villa Svetlana

Address: Masarykova 211 | Reg. no.: 12033/7-8474

An elegant villa on Masaryk Avenue, protected since 1992. A typical example of late 19th-century spa villa architecture.

Villa Ludmila

Address: Masarykova 180 | Reg. no.: 12035/7-8484

Svetlana's neighbour on Masaryk Avenue. This turn-of-the-century villa preserves its original layout and facade.

Villa Hana

Address: Masarykova 209 | Reg. no.: 100111

A villa with fencing, protected since 2003. Named after the Moravian region of Hana, from which a significant number of spa guests came.

Villa Pracner

Address: Leose Janacka 269 | Reg. no.: 12036/7-8489

Named after its first owner. The villa on Leos Janacek Street belongs to the group of buildings protected since 1992.

Villa Samohrd

Address: Leose Janacka 270 | Reg. no.: 29249/7-8871

The neighbouring villa to Pracner on the same street. Protected since 2000, it retains its original architectural character.

Villa Kancnyrka

Address: Ces. armady 395 | Reg. no.: 12037/7-8465

A villa in the southern part of the heritage zone, bearing a folk name. Protected since 1992.

Villa Emausy

Address: Holubyho 384, Prazska ctvrt | Reg. no.: 18430/7-8062

Located in the Prague Quarter, slightly away from the main spa core. The name refers to the biblical Emmaus.

Pink Villa

Address: Lazenske namesti 170 | Reg. no.: 47106/7-8965

A spa pavilion with a footbridge right on the spa square. The name refers to the original pink colour of the facade. A monument since 2001.

Spa Buildings — the Heart of the Town

The major spa buildings form the backbone of Luhacovice. Without them, the town would not be a spa.

Colonnade

Address: Lazenske namesti, st. 144 | Reg. no.: 101626

The landmark of Luhacovice. The complex includes the Great Colonnade, the Small Colonnade, and the Vincentka Hall. This monumental 1947 structure by architect Obratil replaced the older Jurkovic colonnade. It became a protected monument only in 2005.

Wikipedia

Social House

Address: Lazenske namesti 127 | Reg. no.: 101624

The centre of social life in the spa. Concerts, balls, and cultural events take place here. Protected since 2005.

Krystal

Address: Masarykova 152 | Reg. no.: 12042/7-8479

A spa pavilion on Masaryk Avenue. This Functionalist building represents a more modern layer of spa architecture. Protected since 1992.

Radhost

Address: Masarykova 288 | Reg. no.: 12034/7-8485

A spa pavilion named after the sacred mountain of the Beskydy range. Protected since 1992.

Spa Theatre

Address: Dr. Palka Blaho 289 | Reg. no.: 101654

An intimate theatre in the heart of the spa complex. The Janacek and Luhacovice festival takes place here every year. Protected since 2005.

Wikipedia

Sacred Monuments

Even in a spa town, chapels, crosses, and wayside shrines have their place — reminders of the deeper spiritual tradition of the region.

Chapel of Saint Elisabeth

Address: Dr. Palka Blaho, st. 149 | Reg. no.: 19621/7-1977

A Neo-Gothic chapel from the 19th century in the northern part of the spa park. Dedicated to Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia, patron of the sick and the poor — a fitting choice for a spa town.

Wikipedia

Castle Chapel of St Joseph

Address: Masarykova 76 (part of the castle) | Reg. no.: 22925/7-1969

A Baroque chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph, part of the castle complex. It was built during the reconstruction of the castle by the Serenyi family between 1730 and 1738.

Wayside Shrine

Address: Leose Janacka, hillside below Jestrabi, pp. 649/8 | Reg. no.: 40872/7-1983

A stone wayside shrine on the slope below Villa Jestrabi. A small sacred structure recalling the religious tradition of the region.

Statue of St Gotthard

Address: Masarykova 76 (castle grounds) | Reg. no.: 22925/7-1969

A Baroque statue of the patron of agriculture standing in the castle grounds. Part of the heritage-protected castle complex.

The Castle and Its Story

Address: Masarykova 76 | Reg. no.: 22925/7-1969

Luhacovice Castle is one of the oldest structures in the town. Originally a Renaissance fortress, it was rebuilt in Baroque style by the Serenyi family between 1730 and 1738. The Serenyis ruled Luhacovice for nearly three centuries and profoundly influenced the development of both the town and the spa.

The castle complex comprises the main building, the Chapel of St Joseph, and the Statue of St Gotthard. Today it serves as the seat of the municipal authority and a cultural centre. Summer concerts and social events are held in the castle courtyard.

Wikipedia | More about the Serenyis: The Serenyi Family — Aristocrats Who Ruled Luhacovice for 300 Years

Memorials and Statues

Monument to MUDr. Frantisek Vesely

Address: Lazenske namesti, pp. 839/6 | Reg. no.: 29620/7-1978

A monument to the founder of modern Luhacovice. MUDr. Frantisek Vesely (1862–1923) transformed a sleepy little town into a world-famous spa — it was he who brought architect Jurkovic and pushed for the construction of the colonnade, hotels, and infrastructure. The monument stands on the spa square as an expression of the town's gratitude.

Bust of Leos Janacek

Address: hillside behind the Inhalatorium, pp. 673/1 | Reg. no.: 28562/7-1979

A bronze bust of the brilliant composer who found inspiration in Luhacovice for his most famous works. It was here that he met Kamila Stosslova, the muse of his late operas. The bust stands on the slope behind the Inhalatorium, in the quiet of the spa park.

Wikipedia — Leos Janacek

Other Protected Buildings

Post Office

Address: Dr. Veseleho 468 | Reg. no.: 101728

A Functionalist post office building from the interwar period. Protected since 2006 as an example of quality public architecture of the First Republic.

Wikipedia

Villa No. 178 with Pharmacy

Address: Dr. Veseleho 178 | Reg. no.: 29247/7-8873

A historic villa serving as a pharmacy. Protected since 2000.

Slovacka Buda

Address: Ces. armady 265 | Reg. no.: 10448/7-8503

Remains of a stone wine tavern building in folk style. Originally served as a Moravian wine tavern and social venue. Protected since 1992.

Wikipedia

Burial Mound Cemetery at Obora — an 1,100-Year-Old Mystery

On Obora hill (386 m a.s.l.), northwest of the town, lies a Slavic burial mound cemetery — a burial ground from the 9th century, the time of Great Moravia. Originally up to 60 mounds, 49 are visible today.

The cemetery was discovered by teacher Jakub Balhar. Between 1921 and 1922, archaeologist Inocenc Ladislav Cervinka conducted a systematic excavation at the expense of the State Archaeological Institute — opening 40 mounds. The richest find was a warrior's grave: a clay vessel with wave patterns, an iron axe, a knife, spurs, clasps and buckles, an iron sickle, and fittings from a wooden bucket.

The dead were buried at ground level or in deep pits, with heads facing west and feet facing east. Some mounds contained burnt areas or diagonally driven stakes.

Reg. no.: 16568/7-1984 | Wikipedia | In detail: Burial Mound Cemetery at Obora — Luhacovice's 1,100-Year-Old Mystery

How to Visit the Monuments

Most monuments are within 500 metres of the spa square and are freely accessible from the outside. We recommend starting your tour at the colonnade, continuing past Jurkovic House northward to Jestrabi and the Inhalatorium, then returning via the Social House to the castle. A hiking trail from the centre leads to the burial mound cemetery at Obora — the walk takes approximately 30 minutes.

An interactive map of all monuments: Map of Cultural Monuments of Luhacovice

Karel Kadlcik · Luhacovice.cz