Pardubice - what is the interest of Czech cities for tourists

Pardubice (Czech Republic) is the 10th largest city in the country, it occupies almost 78 km², and the population is about 90,000 people. Pardubice is an important economic, industrial, cultural, educational and tourist center of the Czech Republic.

It is located in the place where the Laba and Chrudimka rivers converge, between Prague and Brno. It is 100 km from Prague, 150 from Brno.

Interesting facts about Pardubice

Despite its rather modest size, Pardubice has something to be proud of:

Firstly, from the Middle Ages incredibly beautiful painted gingerbreads have been baked here, which have become famous not only in the settlement itself and the surrounding area, but also far beyond the Czech Republic.

Secondly, starting in 1874, at the end of October, the Great Pardubice steeple chase is held here annually - these are the most difficult in Europe and the second most difficult races in the world.

Thirdly, every July in this beautiful and wise city, almost the largest Czech Open chess tournament in the world takes place.

And fourthly, calmly counting centuries of its existence back in 1340, Pardubice has many historical and architectural attractions, for which it received the status of a nature reserve.

Attractions Pardubice

Like all cities in the Czech Republic, Pardubice is cozy, pretty, clean and well maintained. Its architecture harmoniously combines modern buildings and ancient structures made in the style of Gothic and Baroque. Most of the architectural attractions of Pardubice date back to the 15th-16th centuries - a time of prosperity under the Czech nobleman Willem II of Pernstejn.

The main city square, located in the old part of Pardubice, is called Pernshteyn - in honor of the famous noble family of Pershtein, who owned these lands. Once upon a time shopping malls were located on this square, now it and its immediate surroundings are the focus of the main city sights.

Around Pernshteynova Square there are many unique old mansions in the Gothic and Renaissance styles. Facades of almost all buildings are decorated with biblical themes. The most interesting example is house No. 50 "At Jonash", on the facade of which the prophet Jonash is depicted while swallowing by whales.

In the square stands the Marian column, crowned with a statue of the Virgin Mary. Around the column is a sculptural composition consisting of figures of the Biblical Saints and heraldic lions.

Against the backdrop of many beautiful houses with painted facades, one of the best decorations of the center of Pardubice and its environs stands out - the local town hall. The majestic structure is decorated with two towers and the figure of a brave guard.

The address of this attraction: Zelenobranská 76, Pardubice, Czech Republic.

One of the most important attractions of Pardubice in the Czech Republic is Pardubice Castle, in 2010 it was even included in the list of national monuments of the country.

Initially, from the 13th century, this building served as a fortress. In the sixteenth century, Vilhem II of the Pernshtein clan decided to rebuild the old fortress, and made it into a Renaissance palace. The palace turned out to be very bright and beautiful, the chapel of the Three Kings looks especially interesting. The courtyard is maintained in perfect condition, peacocks are always walking there. And around the castle is the same well-groomed park, spread over an area of ​​70 hectares.

Now the castle houses the East Bohemian Museum and the East Bohemian Gallery. Visitors have the opportunity to visit the restored Knight's Hall, see the weapons collection, a selection of numismatics and a collection of postcards "Orbis pictus".

A variety of concerts, the May gingerbread and honey fair, theatrical tournaments, and other festive events are often held in the courtyard of the Pardubice Castle.

• To walk around the territory around the castle and visit its courtyard, tickets are not needed. Entrance to the attraction is possible on any day of the week from 6:00 to 20:00. But in 2019-2020, due to reconstruction, the northern gate is closed - you can only enter through the southern gate.
• The East Bohemian Museum is open daily, except Mondays, from 10:00 to 18:00.
• The castle is located almost in the center of Pardubice, address: Zámek 2, 530 02 Pardubice, Czech Republic.

The green gate was built in the middle of the 16th century as part of the fortifications separating the city of Pardubice from its environs.

In fact, the Green Gate is not one building. These are two historical sites: the Green Gate itself and the tower above them. The facade of the gate is decorated with a beautiful bas-relief in the Renaissance style, showing scenes from the life of the first owners of these lands. The tower, reaching a height of 60 m, is crowned with a copper Gothic spire.

There is an observation deck on the tower, from where you can see Pardubice and its surroundings. Inside the tower there is also an exhibition dedicated to the history of Pardubice and the surrounding area. Among the exhibits are models of some historical buildings, as well as old documents, maps, photographs.

The tower is open to visitors at this time:

• April, October - from 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturday and Sunday;
• May-September - from 10:00 to 17:00 all days of the week, except Monday;
• November, December - from 10:00 to 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

Tours are conducted in English, German, Czech. An audio guide is also available in these languages.

The green gate is located next to Pernštyn Square, at the address: Zelenobranská 68, 530 02 Pardubice, Czech Republic.

At the beginning of the 16th century, on the initiative of Wilhelm Pernstein, who was then in charge of Pardubice, the church of St. Bartholomew was built. It was planned that there will be the family tomb of Pernshteynov. Together with the church, the bell tower was erected, in which now there are the bells of St. Lawrence and Bartholomew.

Catholic church of St. Bartholomew is made in the Gothic style. The building is made of wood, a baroque-style covered bridge is laid to it. On the facade of the church are magnificent mosaic paintings by Mikolash Alyosha. The main altar is decorated with the canvas "Agony of Bartholomew", dated 1692.

Entrance to the church is free. It is open to visitors at such times:

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday: from 08.00 to 18.00;
• on Sunday services begin at 07:00, 09:00 and 900.

You can find the attraction near the walls of the Pardubice Castle, address: Kostelni, Pardubice 530 02, Czech Republic.

Attractions in the area

The location of Pardubice is very beneficial for tourists who want to see more of Czech attractions. In the vicinity, or rather, within a radius of 100 km around it, there are many interesting places, for example: Prague, Brno (the capital of Moravia), the town of Slatinyany with the residence of the Aueršpergov clan, the Eagle Mountains and the Krkonose Mountains.

What else to see next to Pardubice, in its vicinity, is the Kuneticka Gora fortress in the nearest suburb of Stare Gradiste. In 2001, this landmark was given the status of a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Today's interior decoration of a medieval fortress of the XIV century, standing on the mountain of the same name - these are only restoration options "as it could be in reality." For inspection in the fortress are available: courtyard, the chapel of St. Catherine of Siena, the Knight’s Hall, an old dungeon, a prison with a torture chamber. On one of the towers, at an altitude of 35 m, there is a viewing platform that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Cost of living

Booking.com offers many opportunities for accommodation in Pardubice, and there are different housing options: from hostels to luxury hotels.

A double room in a 3 * hotel per day costs an average of 1300 kroons. The price largely depends on the location of the hotel: in the center there are rooms for 2100 CZK, similar accommodation on the outskirts and in the immediate vicinity can be rented for 750 CZK.

As for the apartments, the price range is between 1400 - 2200 kroons.

Transport connections between Pardubice and other Czech settlements

Pardubice has an airport, but it only accepts a few flights from London, Alicante and Moscow.

Pardubice has no direct connection to the motorway. The way here by car runs along the D11 highway through Hradec Kralove (the distance between them is 20 km).

The most convenient transport that can be reached in Pardubice (Czech Republic) or to the nearest surroundings is the railway. The fact is that Pardubice has a favorable location at the intersection of the railway lines "Prague - Brno - Vienna" and "Prague - Ostrava". Trains run several times per hour between the Prague main railway station and Pardubice station.

Walk in Pardubice: