Orlické Mountains - Czech republic

Orlické Mountains are situated on the border with Poland and Czech Republic, in north-east Bohemia. The highest point is Velká deštná (1115 m). Metuje, Bělá and Divoká (Wild) Orlice rivers flow through these mountains. For this area is typical national architecture and many monuments. Part of Orlické Mountains was declared as Protected Natural Area in 1969.

Articles

CZ: Častolovice - Small Town Located Close To Orlické Mouuntains

Published: 12.8.2011

Častolovice is a picturesque town situated in East Bohemia, located close to Orlické Mountains, in an altitude of 268 metres above sea level, in eastern direction from Hradec Králové, and 35 kilometres distant from Pardubice. Thanks to its position, rich cultural and social life and sightseeings, Častolovice is a frequent target of many visitors.

At present, as some non-overlooked community dominanta, it is Baroque St.Vitus Church, St.Mary Magdalene cemetery chapel and Renaissance Chateau of Sternberg Parentage, including vast park and preserve. From confluence point of Bělá and Kněžná rivers, a mill-race along castle park was created, making there, in south direction, a border, flowing through garden colony, returning back to Bělá-river. However, during 1454-1456, an importance of independent Častolovice dominion dropped. In 1647, the face of the square undergone big changes, as a remarkable complex of hospital, including Loreta Virgin Mary and St. Wenceslas Chapel was established. As an independent building chapter, some style changes of Častolovice Castle present this reality.

History

The first written notice about Častolovice comes of 1342. At that time, Jan Luxembourg, Bohemian King, nominates local homestead as market town, granting some privilieges, including  annual markets. A name of this small town is derived probably from old-Bohemian christian name of one from the first colonists - i.e. Čeněk (Časty, Častolov). The community was founded not far from river ford, which was used, by means of water stronghold and numerous hills, for its protection Later, this complex was changed to the castle.

An agriculture activity, fisheries, haberdasher´s trade and some handicrafts brought a subsistence for local inhabitants. As far as some important owners of the town is concerned, we can mention, for instance, Častolovice Parentage, Krušina of Lichtenburg, Pernstein Parenatge, Henry of Reger, Oppersdorf Parentage or Sternberg Parentage.

Častolovice is well-known, thanks to local production of insulating materials from mineral fibres, manufactured in Saint-Goban Orsil Ltd. factory, or with production of wood-working machines in Rojek Family factory.

Leasure time

Not only in Častolovice, but also in the environs, you can find many places of interest as well as attractive targets for tourists. Častolovice Chateau - a seat of Sternberg Parentage - is a complex, constructed in English style. The Unit of Orlice Communities is looking after all picturesque places of Orlice towns and villages. Opočno, a town with wonderful Chateau of Colloredo-Mansfeld Parentage, is 21 kilometres distant. Kostelec nad Orlicí, a neighbouring town, distant only 3 kilometres from Častolovice, is a seat of Kinsky Family. In Orlické Mountains, so called „Kačenka Kingdom“ is to be found. The distance makes 29 kilometres. The town of Vamberk is to be visited by romantic walk along cycling route, 8,8 kilometres long.

Text: Staňková Nika

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: ou-castolovice.cz

Related Articles

CZ: Vamberk – The Town of Bobbin Lace – VIDEO

Published: 19.6.2018

At the foothills of the Orlické Mountains, visit the small town of Vamberk, which is famous for its bobbin lace. Perhaps you will be amused that one of its district goes by the name Peklo (Hell). Also, the mummy, which you may in the Broumov Monastery, comes from this place.

CZ, Usti nad Orlici: The Town of Weavers and Baroque – VIDEO

Published: 24.5.2023

At the confluence of the Ticha Orlice and Trebovka, right on the main railway line from Prague to the east of the Czech Republic, you will find a beautiful town of Usti nad Orlici. Its main feature is a Baroque square with arcades and a unique railway station.

CZ, Vamberk – The Town of Lace

Published: 2.5.2019

An inconspicuous city at the foot of the Orlicke Mountains, famous for its lace technique and skilled women, whose numbers have fallen rapidly since the time of fame. Interest in lace also fell. The lace museums here will guide you through the centuries-old tradition of lace-making, and when you're lucky, you can find lace festivals or the International Lace Makers Gathering. Yes, there are two museums in Vamberk due to social changes. We will visit Vamberk at the Na Vyhlídce cottage, at the crossroads of hiking trails.

CZ: Orlicke Mountains – Julincino Valley and Hamernice Village – VIDEO

Published: 29.5.2018

If you want to see how a life in fairy tale looks like head to the Julincino Valley and Hamernice village in the Orlické Mountains, near Rokytnice. There is an unforgettable walk along the river Ricek in the beautiful countryside and between the timbered buildings.

CZ, Orlicke Mountains – Neratov

Published: 17.12.2015

If you like beautiful, remote places spiced by interesting past and present there is one I am going to tell you about today. The place is called Neratov situated in the Orlicke Mountains. Neratov has a temple with unique roof of glass.

CZ, Kacerov – Lost in the Orlicke Mountains

Published: 27.9.2023

Parked cars with Prague license plates at ancient trees is a thing that you would see if you had travelled in summer to Kacerov (15 km from Rychnov nad Kneznou). In the following season, Kacerov becomes a solitary place. I love it for one concrete location – a church and its cemetery.

CZ, Rychnov nad Kněžnou – Related to the Kolowrat Family

Published: 3.9.2020

The town located in the Hradec Králové region on the river Kněžná is associated with several historically significant names. The author of the novel There Were Five of Them comes here - the writer Karel Poláček, the composer Jiří Rychnovský, Magdalena Dobromila Rettigová wrote the famous Domestic Cookbook here and the Kolowrat family owns and manages one of the largest Baroque complexes in Bohemia - the Kolowrat Castle.