CZ: Tips for Sightseeing in Eastern Bohemia

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Karlova Koruna Castle in Chlumec nad Cidlinou is one of the most important Baroque buildings in the country. During the tour you will get acquainted with the history of the Kinský family. The surroundings of the chateau are very large and I dare say that in the autumn it will be absolutely beautiful in the adjacent park. Wedding ceremonies can be ordered at the chateau, and there are also many events for children during the year.

Pardubice Castle is a Renaissance building located near the historic center of Pardubice. The castle houses the East Bohemian Museum, where you can visit various thematic exhibitions. The surroundings of the chateau are very pleasant, if you go to the castle grounds and walk through Tyršovy sady, you can have a snack in a beautiful modern café.

Kunětická hora is a castle ruin from the beginning of the 15th century and is located in the village of Ráby near Pardubice. You can stop with your children in the castle grounds on the playground, where you will also find paddocks with smaller animals. Kunětická hora offers three sightseeing tours. In July, a two-day Czech Castles music festival takes place under Kunětická Mountain every year. Even in the autumn guise, when "Kuňka" is shrouded in warm golden tones, it has its charm. There is also a gingerbread house nearby. You should definitely not forget to visit her with your children.

Hrádek u Nechanic Castle can be found near Hradec Králové. It is a neo-Gothic building with a bright orange facade, so you will definitely not miss it. The chateau offers its visitors Christmas tours and concerts, Easter tours and in summer you can play golf nearby.

Častolovice Chateau is located in the district of Rychnov nad Kněžnou. For its visit, I would recommend you summer, because the castle boasts a beautiful rose garden and other times to let yourself be intoxicated by the scent of roses than in full bloom. Children will certainly appreciate the chateau minizoo, where they can run, for example, among freely released rabbits. Of course, they can see a lot of other animals, including llamas and deer. Častolovice Chateau is an absolutely wonderful affair for a family with children.

You do not have to drive far and you will discover another castle stop, namely the castle Doudleby nad Orlicí. It is a Renaissance-Baroque building and you will certainly remember the castle thanks to the carpet sgraffito, which covers not only the outer walls of the castle, but also the walls of the courtyard and chimneys. The castle hosts traditional farmers' markets and, for example, the film Bathory was shot here.

The new chateau in Kostelec nad Orlicí dates from the first half of the 19th century and is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. It is located in the Kostelec Castle Park nature reserve and is built in the Empire style. Adjacent to the castle is a beautiful castle park with lots of flower nooks and invites to pleasant walks. The chateau offers a lot of cultural activities - from exhibitions, concerts and festivals to a quiet sitting in Toni's chateau cafe.

Wherever you have to look, it is Smetana's Litomyšl. Now we do not mean the popular national festival, but the castle in Litomyšl. It is a Renaissance building and can also be found on the UNESCO

World Heritage List. Adjacent to the castle are beautiful gardens, which are prohibited from entering with dogs. In addition to a tour of the castle, which I highly recommend, as the interiors of the castle are beautiful, also visit the picture gallery and the castle cellars. If you have time, be sure to walk through the monastery gardens, which you will find near the Litomyšl castle.

There is another chateau near Litomyšl and it will be my last tip. It is a rococo chateau Nové Hrady. It is a breathtaking building with even more beautiful gardens. Here you will find, for example, a French garden, a white garden, a rosary, an Italian garden, a park garden and other beautiful nooks and crannies, including a green labyrinth. In the castle grounds you can also visit the Cycling Museum or the Hat Gallery.

As you can see, Eastern Bohemia is very rich in interesting monuments. But beware, you only have a few weeks left to visit this year. Castles and chateaux are mostly closed during the winter.

GPS: 49°52'23.5"N 16°18'45.4"E

Text and photos: Šárka Fofoňková