Boheminium

Boheminium (officially Park Boheminium) is a tourist miniature park located on the eastern edge of Mariánské Lázně in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. Situated at an altitude of about 750 metres, roughly one kilometre from the town centre near the Hotel Krakonoš, the park spreads over six hectares and is one of the most visited paid attractions in the region. It is the fourth-largest miniature park in Europe and the only facility of its kind in the Czech Republic. The park's core offering is a collection of more than 90 detailed scale models of significant Czech architectural and technical landmarks, built at a scale of 1:25. The miniatures represent castles, chateaux, churches, lookout towers, bridges, mills, and technical monuments from across the country, including Karlštejn Castle, Ještěd, Červená Lhota Chateau, the Hvězda Summer Palace, and Český Krumlov Castle. Each model is accompanied by information in Czech and three other world languages. Walking paths extend for 2.8 kilometres, and a typical visit takes two to three hours. Boheminium was opened to the public in June 1999 under the name Miniaturpark. Its first modelling pioneer was Jan Stehlík, who created the first miniature — Červená Lhota Chateau at 1:25 scale. The initial exhibition contained six models. After a closure in 2002 due to bankruptcy proceedings and developer interest in the land, the company survived and the park reopened in June 2003. That autumn, the first large UNESCO monument model — the Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora — was introduced, and the park was renamed Boheminium. In 2010, the town of Mariánské Lázně purchased the land from bankruptcy proceedings, and from 1 January 2011 the company Boheminium Mariánské Lázně, s.r.o. became the tenant of the municipal property, investing in operations, development, and the creation of further models. Since 2011, the park has collaborated with Horní Slavkov prison, whose inmates help produce models under authorial supervision. In 2020, the park welcomed its first live inhabitants — three miniature horse mares — and has since added dwarf goats, Ouessant sheep, dwarf rabbits, and miniature poultry breeds. The park has been open year-round since the winter of 2017/2018, from 10:00 to 18:00, with extended hours in summer. In 2018 it recorded 132,000 visitors, and it regularly ranks among the most visited attractions in the Karlovy Vary Region. About 70% of visitors are Czech. A model of Prague Castle and the Powder Tower is under construction.

Boheminium was opened to the public in June 1999 under the name Miniaturpark. The first modelling pioneer was Jan Stehlík, who created the first miniature — Červená Lhota Chateau at 1:25 scale. The initial exhibition contained six models: Červená Lhota Chateau, Krakonoš hill, the ancient Rotunda of St George on Říp mountain, the Cathedral of St Nicholas with the Black Tower, Staré bělidlo with a water mill, and the tugboat Bivoj. The park quickly gained popularity, but in 2002 it closed due to bankruptcy proceedings and developer interest in the land. The company ultimately survived, and the park reopened in June 2003. In autumn 2003, the first large model of a UNESCO monument — the Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora near Žďár nad Sázavou — was introduced. At that time, the park was renamed to its current name, Boheminium. In 2005, models of Ještěd and Kynžvart Chateau were added at the highest point of the park. A year later, the park appeared on the Czech Television travel programme Toulavá kamera. In January 2009, a model of Karlštejn Castle was presented at the Regiontour travel fair in Brno and subsequently added to the exhibition. In 2010, the town of Mariánské Lázně supported Boheminium by purchasing the land from bankruptcy proceedings. From 1 January 2011, the company Boheminium Mariánské Lázně, s.r.o. became the tenant of the municipal property and invests at its own expense in operations, development, and the creation of further models of Czech landmarks. The Mariánské Lázně modelling workshop has over twenty years of experience and is among the best in the field. In 2011, the park began cooperation with Horní Slavkov prison; since then, inmates have participated in model production, either by preparing components or creating entire miniatures under authorial supervision. In 2020, the miniature park welcomed its first live inhabitants — three miniature horse mares. The number of animals has increased, and visitors can also see Dutch dwarf goats, Ouessant sheep, dwarf rabbits, and miniature poultry breeds. In 2024, no new model was added. A model of Prague Castle and the Powder Tower is under construction. The park continues to grow each year and now contains over 90 miniatures, all with information support in Czech and three other world languages. The park's popularity grows year by year, and it is now the only facility of its kind in the Czech Republic and the fourth-largest miniature park in Europe. Walking paths extend for 2.8 kilometres, and the recommended visit time is 2–3 hours. Since the winter of 2017/2018, the park has been open year-round from 10:00 to 18:00, and until 19:00 during holidays.

• 2025

  Model of Schwarzenberg Tomb near Třeboň added.

• 2024

  No new model added; park ranked second most visited attraction in Karlovy Vary Region after Loket Castle.

• 2020

  First live animals introduced (three miniature horse mares).

• 2018

  Park recorded 132,000 visitors.

• 2017

  Park open year-round from winter 2017/2018.

• 2011

  Boheminium Mariánské Lázně, s.r.o. became tenant of municipal property; cooperation with Horní Slavkov prison began.

• 2010

  Town of Mariánské Lázně purchased the land from bankruptcy proceedings.

• 2009

  Model of Karlštejn Castle presented at Regiontour travel fair in Brno.

• 2006

  Park featured on Czech Television travel programme Toulavá kamera.

• 2005

  Models of Ještěd and Kynžvart Chateau added.

• 2003

  Park reopened in June; in autumn, first UNESCO monument model (Zelená Hora church) introduced and park renamed Boheminium.

• 2002

  Park closed due to bankruptcy proceedings and developer interest in the land.

• 1999

  Park opened to the public in June under the name Miniaturpark with six models.

Family-friendly tourist attraction and educational park showcasing Czech cultural heritage through detailed miniature models, positioned as the most visited attraction in the Karlovy Vary Region and the fourth-largest miniature park in Europe.

• Miniature models of Czech landmarks

  Over 90 models at 1:25 scale, including castles, chateaux, churches, lookout towers, bridges, mills, and technical monuments.

• Themed walking trails

  2.8 km of paths through the park with information panels in Czech and three other languages.

• Miniature farm animals

  Miniature horses, dwarf goats, Ouessant sheep, dwarf rabbits, and miniature poultry.

1. 1Miniaturpark Boheminium Mariánské Lázně - Modely českých památekboheminium.cz
2. 2Boheminium - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Boheminium - Wikipedia (Czech)cs.wikipedia.org