River Chrudimka - Czech republic
The river sources in Žďárské vrchy, near to the community of Svratouch.
104 km
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CZ: Pardubice - Industrial City With A Taste Of Gingerbread And Horseraces-VIDEO
The industrial zone is placed traditionally at the outskirts of the town. This gray Pardubice quarter section has really nothing to be admired. On the other hand, it is necessary tax for a phenomenon, known as industry and necessary item for prosperity and wealth of the town. On one cloudy day, Pardubice appeared in broadcast news as an event No. 1. The defenders who indefatigably are fighting against any factories which pollute life environment (and Synthesia factory in Pardubice belongs to them, no doubt), sent to editor´s office of one daily a dead fish, accompanied with a letter, describing, with several unpleasant sentences, very bad millieu of Pardubice industrial zone. This consignment with such strange odour was re-sent to another next addresses, including Pardubuíce Mayor and Region Executive Officer.
All such cases which „curl the waters“ polluted (dirty) life environment touch regularly standard life in Pardubice - in shorter or longer periods. Local inhabitants do not like too much, if their children would be mature under standard menace of ecological catastroph, which seems to be quite real. To tell the truth, hardly anybody would have the courage to move and leave Pardubice. And everybody who visits this town will understand soon that such city with 90 000 inhabitants is a heart affair for them.
The City of Black-White Colour Shade
Something as of black and white colour shade, this is a contrast between grey industry and historical nucleus of this city, formed with Perstyn Square and its neighbouring small streets. And just there, real architectonic treasures are hidden. It is, first of all, Town Hall built in Neo-Renaissance style, decorated with medaillons of Bohemian Kings, sgraffitos (made in accordance with plans of Mikolas Aleš), as well as with red blowing maces in the windows. This arrangement perfectly falls into historical space, important for life of local people in past So called „Jonas House“, middle-class house No. 50 of Baroque style, belongs to most interesting buildings of this square. The other dominanta of the city - it is so called „Green Tower“. It is 60 metres high, and, from its top, you can enjoy perfect outlook of the whole town.
In front of wealthy decorated Virgin Mary Column, a bride with her fiance let to take their photo. They said „Yes“ in the hall of „Nutmeg Town Hall“. However, couple of minutes before, a small shower came. So, hot air taking away the energy, returned fresh atmosphere, and the persons, hidden below their umbrellas, recovered a little. Finally, marriage couple, together with the other wedding partecipants, took their seats in vehicles and left the square, full of history, back into modern present time.
This Perstyn Square, carefully hidden in historical city centre, is something which could be simply overseen, when transiting Pardubice. The building of city theatre, constructed in 1907, is something which could be followed immediately from the first view. It is situated in the street, where the buses, trolley-buses and thousands of cars are passing daily. On the same avenue, St.Bartholomew Church, as well as memory plate, dedicated the victims of the 2nd World War, are to be found.
A Particularity of Pardubice Castle
Short walk around leads you to Pardubice Castle. You are not foced to climb upstairs, but despite of this, you have the feeling that you came upstairs. The castle presents is unique model of plain castle of Renaissance style, with powerful earth lines, which is not available in any similar place. Now, the castle (a seat of Pernstein Parentage in 15th and 16th centuries) is a home of East Bohemia Museum, East Bohemian Gallery, and also of several peacocks, sitting on old tree.
Brick-built building of automatic mills, situated on Chrudimka-river, act in incredible way, similarly as sketched coolisses, in contrast with cloudy sky. This work of Josef Gočár proves that even such buildings of industrial character could be beautiful. A crematorium building, work of architect Pavel Janák, belongs also to unique constructions.
When visiting Pardubice, you cannot omit another important holiday - it is Great Steeplechase, most difficult horse race of European continent. Joseph Váňa became, no doubt, a phenomenon of such races. He won, nearly in his 60 years of age, the last two courses with Tiumen, his horse-gelding. Anyway, Váňa won this Steeplechase totally seven times! On the other hand, a legend among horses, it is a horse Železnik. Váňa won with im in saddle four times. An this performance was unique in this horse race history. Horse Sixteen was near to such succes of phenomenal horse-sorrel Železnik.
The city offers many routes for walks. Nevertheless, pardubice has one challenge for bikers. This is a circuit know as Ginger-bread Heart. It is nearly 150 kilometres long, has a form of heart and leads you throughout interesting localities of Pardubice surroundings. It leads, for instance, via Kladruby nad Labem, Kunětická hora, Přelouč, Heřmanův Městec or Chrudim.
Text/photo/video: Klára Svobodová
Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš