Pevnost Josefov

Over het museum

The fortress town of Josefov came into being after Emperor Joseph II decided in 1780 to build a new fortress. After the Silesian Wars with Prussia, the Habsburg monarchy needed to fortify its north-eastern border, so the imperial chamber bought the village of Ples with its surroundings on the hill above the Metuje. The fortification complex was built in strict secrecy to a design by the French engineer Claude Benoît Duhamel de Querlon; the foundation stone was laid on 3 October 1780, and after seven years the fortress was handed over for use. In 1793 the town was renamed from Ples to Josefov.

In the Napoleonic Wars the fortress was used mainly as a prison for captured French soldiers, and in 1866 Prussian troops bypassed it. The fortress status of Josefov ended in 1888, but a military garrison remained. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries the demolition of the walls and gates began, but most elements have been preserved. During the First World War a large prisoner-of-war camp was located here; from 1948 Josefov has been part of Jaroměř, and in 1971 it was declared an urban heritage reserve.

Today the main entrance to the complex is Bastion No. I, from which the tour route leads through the casemates and the extensive underground defence system. Guides in period costume tell the story of the town and of how the defence complex worked. The site is run by the Pevnost Josefov centre of the Městské kulturní středisko Jaroměř (Jaroměř Municipal Cultural Centre).

Hoogtepunten

• guided tour of the underground defence system in period costume
• casemates at Bastion No. I
• free introductory exhibition on the history of Josefov
• lapidarium of M. B. Braun with original Baroque sculptures
• view from the rampart

Vaste collectie

• Prohlídka podzemí Josefova – The tour leads from the courtyard of Bastion No. I through the casemates into the underground defence system of the fortress town.
• Stálá historická expozice – The free introductory exhibition in the courtyard of Bastion No. I introduces the history of Josefov.

Beheerder

MKS Jaroměř – středisko Pevnost Josefov

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The introductory exhibition, the M. B. Braun lapidarium and the courtyard of Bastion No. I are freely accessible; the admission fee is paid for the underground tour. Tours in foreign languages and special tours must be booked in advance.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The above-ground parts of the site (lapidarium, casemates, courtyard) can be visited by wheelchair users; staff at the ticket office can provide more information. The key to the accessible toilet is available from the ticket office. The underground route passes through confined spaces where the ceiling drops in places to 175 cm. Only small dogs carried in arms or in a bag may enter the underground.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops

A family ticket and experience programmes for children from the age of 5 are available. Underground it is cold and in places narrow, which is worth considering for young children.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The Elbe cycle route (Labská cyklostezka, section Kuks – Hradec Králové) runs around the fortress town; there are bicycle stands in the courtyard of Bastion No. I.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel
• Garderobe

In the courtyard of Bastion No. I there is a souvenir shop, a snack vending machine and a rest area. Motorcyclists’ helmets and luggage can be left at the ticket office.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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