City of Pardubice. Pardubice - Pardubice Opening hours of the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary
Have you already seen a lot of Czech cities, do you want to go somewhere else without spending a lot of time on the way from Prague? Then you should definitely go for a walk in the city of Pardubice. After reading the post to the end, you will find out what this city may be of interest to tourists and residents of the Czech Republic.
1. Pardubice is a city in the Czech Republic, located 124 km east of Prague. The city's population is only 90 thousand people, but, like other cities in the Czech Republic, it is beautiful, reasonably well maintained and offers excellent places for walking and sightseeing.
2. First, let's find out what the city of Pardubice is famous for. Most Russians might know about this city due to the fact that seasonal flights were once made to Pardubice Airport from the following cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Kazan, Samara. But as a result of the impoverishment of Russians and a decrease in tourist flows, flights from Russia here were stopped. The only regular flights to Pardubice Airport today are operated only by the European low-cost airline Ryanair. True, tourists arriving at Pardubice airport immediately went to Prague, not paying attention to the city and telling everyone that Pardubice was a gray, ugly city with nothing to do. These conclusions were made solely on the basis of the industrial outskirts of the city seen from the window of a transfer bus.
3. Pardubice is famous for the Pernštejn beer with a horse in the logo, produced at the brewery, Pardubický pivovar. Today the brewer produces 15 varieties of this beer, however, I didn’t remember this beer as anything special.
4. The third thing that the average person might have heard about this city is the explosive substance Semtex, produced at one of the city’s factories. This substance is mentioned in the Air Crash Investigation program on National Geographic. There, in the series “Plane Crash in Lockerbie (1988),” the story is told about the terrorist attack that was carried out with just this explosive.
In addition to the production of explosives, the chemical industry, electrical engineering production, electronics production, asphalt production and the production of Pardubice gingerbread are developed in Pardubice.
5. Well, the last thing we can know about the city is the famous Velká Pardubická horse race. These races are considered the most difficult in Europe and the second most popular after the Liverpool races. These races take place in Pardubice on the second Sunday in October. Therefore, images of a white horse on a red background are found everywhere in Pardubice: on buildings, on posters, on cobblestones, on the city’s coat of arms.
6. Now let's move on to the description of our walk around the city. We start exploring the city from the castle. Pardubice Castle- the main tourist destination. Entrance to the castle grounds is free. Opening hours of the castle: from 10:00 to 18:00, the castle is open all year round, closed on Monday. Entrance fee for viewing all rooms, chambers and exhibitions: 140 CZK. In the castle you will see a collection of coins, an exhibition of Czech glass, knights' castles, and a collection of weapons.
7. The castle was founded in the 13th century. Architectural style - Renaissance. The castle is included in the list of national cultural monuments of the Czech Republic, the history of the castle can be read on Wikipedia, and ordinary people will simply enjoy walking around the castle and admiring the outer courtyard and the sgraffite façade of the castle from the northeast on the rampart.
8. On the territory of the castle, as in Valdshteinsky and Voyanov, peacocks walk freely and love to pose. We counted about 15 such birds.
9. After visiting the castle, it is worth taking a walk to the main square of Pardubice - Pernštýnské náměstí. The square is lined with cafes with summer terraces. The Green Gate can be seen in the distance.
10. The dominant feature of the historical center is the city hall. This is the most beautiful building in the city.
11. Right in front of the town hall there is a plague pillar with lions and sculptures of saints.
12. Most historical buildings are classified as architectural monuments of the Czech Republic and are under protection. That’s why you won’t see ugly reconstruction here: the houses look very fresh, and every element of the house is in its place.
13. As I already said, the city has many architecturally and historically interesting buildings. In the photo you see the building of the East Bohemian Theater. And if you have a little more time, be sure to check out the following objects:
- Automatic Winternitzovy mills (Winternitzovy mlýny)
- Pardubické Crematorium in Czech Art Deco style
If you're traveling by car, it's worth visiting neighboring towns and castles during your day trip. The most interesting places near the city of Pardubice:
- City, 25 km
- Litomysl, 51 km
- Castle Kunětická hora, 9 km from Pardubice
14. What amazes me about the Czech Republic is that even in small towns public transport is well developed, in some places there is a well-developed tram network, and in Pardubice there is a trolleybus network, which was opened in 1952.
15. When leaving Pardubice, a poppy field appeared in front of us, where local beauties arranged a photo shoot. If you want to take a photo in a poppy field, then you should go to the Czech Republic at the end of May.
16. Next to the poppy field there was another picturesque field with purple flowers that looked like cornflowers. If anyone knows what kind of flowers these are, write the name in the comments.
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Despite the aura of excitement of horse racing, Pardubice is not prone to eccentricity. This is a cozy, calm and wise city, steadily counting down the centuries of its rich history.
Pardubice is a famous tourist city, an architectural reserve, located an hour's drive from Prague. It is called the “city of horses and gingerbread”. Indeed, Pardubice is famous for its unique paintings and horse races: it has been held here for more than a century. Since the 20th century, the city has been considered an important industrial, educational and cultural center of the country.
How the city developed
In 1295, a monastery stood at the confluence of the Chrudimka River and Laba. It was surrounded by a settlement, which by the 14th century had grown, receiving city status and the right to brew beer. Pardubice experienced rapid development at the turn of the 15th-16th centuries, when Chamberlain Vilém II Pernstein made it his residence. In the 17th century, the city was destroyed by fire and its development stopped for a long time. In the 19th century, with the arrival of the railway, the economy of Pardubice began to revive and the first industrial enterprises appeared. World War II again brought destruction to the city. After the war it was gradually restored.
Attractions
Plague Pillar
University of Pardubice
An ensemble of unique architectural objects has been preserved in the historical center of Pardubice. The dominant feature of the old town is Pardubický Castle, founded in the 13th century.
In 1491, Vilém II began rebuilding the old fortress, which had survived the fire, into a Renaissance residence. The white walls, painted with sgraffito, despite their elegance, did not lose their defensive capability: they were protected by earthen ramparts and a deep ditch. On the site of the former water barrier, the Tyrshov Gardens park is now located, which is famous for the abundance of dahlias. The castle houses an art gallery and a historical exhibition of the East Bohemian Museum. Tourists visit the restored Knights' Hall, the weapons collection, the unique numismatic collection, and the exhibition of Czech postcards "Orbis pictus". Public events, concerts and theatrical tournaments are held in the halls and courtyard.
The Green Gate (Zelená brána) was once part of the fortifications. This 59-meter tower with an observation deck and a sharp Gothic spire stands next to Pernshtynska Square. It is open to visitors and provides an opportunity to admire from above the square built up with neo-Gothic and Renaissance mansions. The architecture of the building has been preserved from the 16th century.
Adjacent to the tower is the neo-Renaissance Town Hall. It, like the Green Gate, was rebuilt in the 16th century after a fire.
Plague Pillar
In front of the building there is a Baroque Marian pillar (1695), which is decorated with a statue of the Virgin Mary and a sculptural composition with figures of saints and heraldic lions.
Many residential mansions remain from the Renaissance era in Pardubice. The most famous of them is the “House of Jonáše” (Dům U Jonáše), with a beautiful facade decorated with reliefs on biblical themes. It is used by the East Bohemian Gallery to host fine art exhibitions. There is also a Creative Studio here, offering additional programs for current exhibitions in the context of lifelong learning.
The Gothic Church of St. Bartholomew (Kostel svatého Bartoloměje) was built in the 16th century as the Pernštejn family tomb. After restoration in 1989, it belongs to the monastic order of the Gray Sisters.
The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (Kostel Zvěstování Panny Marie) is one of the oldest buildings in the city; it was founded in the mid-14th century.
Galleries and museums
The following still operate in Pardubice: the “Sun” ceramics gallery; gallery “Ancient Pharmacy”; Museum of Urban and Public Transport and Railways (Muzeum MHD a železnice), which has documents, photographs and models of transport, and where everyone can ride a steam locomotive or an old trolleybus.
Theaters
There are four theaters in the city. The oldest and largest is the East Bohemian Theater (Vychodoceske divadlo).
The University of Pardubice was founded in 1956. Today it has 7 faculties, scientific laboratories and an Art Gallery.
Brewery
The appearance of a brewery in Pardubice is associated with the name of Pernštejn. The famous Pardubice Porter is made here. During the excursion you will get acquainted with the technological processes of production of porter and other types of beer and taste them.
Events and holidays
The main annual event in Pardubice is the Velka Pardubická horse race. It has been held since 1874 and is considered a great holiday. Every year at the end of October, the best horses and jockeys arrive at the Pardubice Hippodrome to take part in one of the most difficult steeple chases in the world.
In May, the castle grounds host the Gingerbread Festival - a fair of gingerbread and honey with the usual exhibitions of handicrafts, children's competitions and performances.
At the beginning of June, a folklore festival takes place; it opens with the colorful show “Pernstyn Night” and continues at concert venues.
The theatrical “Festival of Laughter” is held in February.
Pardubice Airport is a military airport, but since 1995 it has accepted international civil aircraft. It is used for charters to Southern Europe and operates flights to Russia. Passenger turnover at Pardubice Airport per year is about 200 thousand people. Thematic air shows are held annually at the local airfield.
In the closest suburb to Pardubice, Stare Gradište, there is the restored medieval fortress of Kunětická Gora. Entrance to the castle grounds is free, except for the chapel, which is visited with a guide. There is a world-class golf course with 18 holes on Kuněticka Gora.
8 km from the city, in the Elbe Lowland, is the famous resort of Lazne Bogdanec. In addition to natural beauties and architectural monuments, vacationers are attracted here by healing factors: unique reed and peat deposits and mineral waters.
In the town of Slatinany, not far from Pardubice, the residence of the Auersperg family has been preserved. An old horse farm has been operating here since 1898, and the Museum of Old Kladruby Horses has been created with it.
In the area of 100 km from Pardubice there are such interesting tourist places as Prague, Brno - the capital of Moravia, the city of Pecka with the castle, Hrad Rychmburk Castle, the ruins of the Lichnice fortress, the Svojanov fortress and Hrad Lipnice ), Orlicke Mountains, Giant Mountains.
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Equestrian competitions are held annually in Pardubice. The race, called the Greater Pardubice Steeple Chase, is held at the local hippodrome, and all the best jockeys in the world come here to show themselves, especially since the prize fund is very respectable - $100,000 per victory. At the hippodrome, everyone can choose their own program of recreation and excursions around the Pardubice region. Experienced instructors will help you get in the saddle and take a short course in horse riding.
For those interested, the city has indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a water park.
The region has all the conditions for playing golf: excellent fields and equipment, instructors will definitely help you if you are new to golf.
At your service are extreme tourism, wellness holidays, and agricultural tourism, which is fashionable nowadays. If you are tired of the big city, agritourism is for you.
In eastern Bohemia there are many specially built trails for cyclists and rollerbladers. On roller skates, in particular, you can travel 40 km away from highways - such is their length.
Shopping lovers will also be pleased. In Pardubice there are a lot of large supermarkets and small shops waiting for them.
Transport features of Pardubice
Pardubice is a large railway junction in the Czech Republic; the city has two railway stations, with 6 stops between them.
Pardubice is also an important road junction; roads connecting the Czech Republic from north to south and from west to east pass through the city. Although the city is experiencing problems, because transit roads pass through the city itself.
City transport in Pardubice is represented by trolleybuses and buses.
Pardubice (Czech Republic) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Pardubice with descriptions, guides and maps.
City of Pardubice (Czech Republic)
Pardubice is a city in Eastern Bohemia, located at the confluence of the Laba and Chrudimka rivers in a picturesque location among meadows and deciduous forests. It is the tenth largest city in the country and is located between Prague and Brno. Pardubice is an ancient city, smelling of gingerbread and a major educational center.
Geography and climate
Pardubice is located on the banks of the Laba, which is one of the largest rivers in the Czech Republic. The distance to Prague is approximately 100 km. Distance to Brno - 150 km. The climate is temperate, with warm summers and cool winters.
Practical information
- Population - about 90,000 inhabitants.
- Area - 77 km2.
- Time is Central European UTC +1.
- The official language is Czech.
- Currency - Czech crown.
Story
The city of Pardubice was founded in 1340. Although already in the 13th century there was an ancient monastery here. The further development of the city was associated with the nobles of the Pernstein family, who made this small town their residence.
In the 15-16th century the city grew and developed rapidly. The development of the city continued until the Thirty Years' War. Afterwards Pardubice fell into decay. Further growth of the city occurred in the 19th century, when the first Czech railway Prague - Olomouc was built.
Currently, Pardubice is one of the largest cities in the Czech Republic, a major cultural and economic center. There is also a large University located here.
How to get there
Pardubice has its own airport. True, there are a limited number of flights here from London, Alicante and Moscow.
The most convenient way to get to Pardubice is by rail. Thanks to its location at the crossroads of the Prague - Ostrava and Prague - Brno - Vienna routes, trains run from the capital of the Czech Republic and back every hour.
Pardubice is not directly connected to the motorway. The fastest way to get here by car is to take the D11 motorway to Hradec Králové, which is 20 km from Pardubice.
Attractions
The center of the old town is Pernstein Square. All the main attractions of Pardubice are located nearby.
Along the perimeter of the square there are many old historical buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, in which traces of Gothic to Renaissance and Renaissance styles can be found. Most houses contain paintings and various decorative elements. An ancient Marian column made of sandstone is installed on the square. It dates from the end of the 17th century. The Plague Column was supplemented with sculptures in the 18th century.
Among the historical buildings of Pernštejn Square, the town hall, built in the Renaissance style at the end of the 19th century, stands out.
The Green Gate with a tower is one of the symbols of Pardubice. They were built in the mid-16th century and were part of the city fortifications. The high 60-meter tower is decorated with a copper Gothic helmet. You can climb the tower and admire the panorama of the historical center.
Pardubice Castle is one of the main attractions of the city. Initially, there was a fortress here in the 13th century, which was rebuilt by the lords of Pernštejn into a Renaissance palace and served as their residence in the 15th and 16th centuries. Now the castle is open to the public and there is a museum here. It is a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic.
Church of St. Bartholomew's is a late Gothic church built in the early 16th century. It was one of the tombs of the Pernstein family.
The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary is a Gothic church founded in the 14th century. It is one of the oldest buildings in Pardubice and is one of the cultural monuments of the Czech Republic. The old church was rebuilt by the Pernsteins in the Gothic style in the 16th century. Under the church there are basements that served as tombs.
The Czech city of Pardubice, located 104 km east of Prague, has been known since 1340. Currently, its population is 90 thousand inhabitants. There are several large industrial enterprises in the city, and its hockey club is one of the most famous in the country.
In Pardubice I stayed in a guesthouse (as the owner determined its category). The hotel itself was the upper floors of a private house. On the first floor there was a restaurant. The evening before, after a bike ride in Hradec Králové, I arrived at my accommodation late and went to bed after dinner. I woke up later than I expected (it’s quiet all around, you can hear the quiet chirping of local birds through the open window, so the reason is understandable). I had breakfast, deciding to drive around the city for a couple of hours in the morning, and after that return to our base, have another bite and say goodbye for good. Before leaving, I accidentally looked at the hotel’s operating schedule and realized that I needed to vacate my place much earlier than I expected. I had to eat the second part of breakfast after the first and vacate the room. The owner's wife met me, took the keys and asked if I would have breakfast. Behind her, a hall was visible, with tables laid.
- No thanks...
- But you already paid for the cost of food upon arrival...
In such cases, I react quickly:
- You know, I think I'll have a snack. I have time...
I secretly hoped that among the dishes offered (buffet) there would be only those that did not arouse my appetite. Of course, my hopes were not justified...
Having finally rolled my bike out onto the street, I realized that the main difficulty for me in the coming hours was the fight against the force of gravity, which, without any mercy, was pulling my bloated belly to Mother Earth...
The street where I stayed. My windows looked out onto some kind of pond.
There were almost no people around. This didn't upset me too much, because... I have already managed to make sure that the Czechs know Russian worse than the Poles, and therefore it is difficult to clarify anything with them. From a distance I heard an unfamiliar speech. This representative of one proud people, sitting on a bench with the air of an owner, gave some orders over the phone.
Pardubice is small, and I expected to travel around interesting places in a few hours. Riding around the city turned out to be very convenient: there are almost no people and cars, the network of bike paths is quite dense. While searching for the hotel address yesterday, I got a little confused with the house numbers. Now I understand that some owners assign them to their buildings arbitrarily (perhaps this number is duplicated by the correct one hanging in another place).
Small temple of the Virgin Mary.
It was a day off, but still I thought: “Where are the locals?... Are they sitting at home watching TV or working around the house?... (The share of private development is large).”
I'm heading towards the local castle.
Pardubice Castle was built on the site of earlier fortifications known from the 13th century.
There are figures of saints on the bridge over the moat. Although this monument is not signed, I think it is Jan Nepomuk, a very popular figure in this region. The expression on his face is always plaintive and pleading.
The current castle building was erected in the 15th century. Rebuilt many times. Currently it houses the East Bohemian Museum.
Peacocks are walking around the yard.
Of course, here you can have a snack and drink beer (this point seems to me to be the most important in European establishments of this kind).
Pardubice is located at the confluence of the Elbe (Laba) and Chrudimka rivers. The water level is regulated by the hydroelectric dam.
You can admire the city from board a pleasure boat.
Or you can sit on the shore in the “Water Club”, created in a decommissioned ship.
The owner of this house blocked the neighboring stream with a small dam and got a picturesque pond next to the site.
I used this tower as a reference point for some time.
Ice stadium (on the right is a figure of a hockey player).
I'm back in the center. This is not difficult given the small size of the city.
Device for inflating bicycle tires. Free...
Church of St. John the Baptist (1563).
Around the temple there are several tombstones from the 17th and 17th centuries and sculpture. Our Lady looks very positive.
There's an angel on the wall. He asks for someone... How the Lord must not love them... No matter how you see this, he definitely turns to the Almighty. I won’t be surprised that sometimes God wants to shout at them:
- Clueless!... What have I taught you for thousands of years?... Will you ever start doing anything on your own?...
Anyone who has worked as a manager will understand me...
I continue to ride around Pardubice. There's a sense of activity nearby, but I'm in no rush to get there. Let everything be prepared first.
At this time, a procession dedicated to the Second World War began on the pedestrian street. Or rather, its ending. The picture shows this street, photographed earlier. The city's Green Gate is visible in the distance. The road is intended for cyclists.
On the street, in front of a large crowd of people, a procession of military equipment from the mid-20th century and people dressed in military uniforms gathered.
Pardubice was liberated by Soviet troops (the Americans only entered the western part of the country).
In the hands of smiling people are the flags of the victorious countries (there are no people willing to hold ours). Although, if we take into account the countries’ contribution to the defeat of Germany, then it would be more correct to remove French... But France has always attracted young girls...
It is difficult to say how great the joy of the Czechs is. Unlike the Poles, for example, they accepted their annexation completely silently and worked throughout the war for the military power of Germany (the Czech industry was developed). The resistance movement acted sluggishly, becoming more active only at the end of the war. President Benes addressed his compatriots in February 1945: “Let us promise ourselves that from now on we will stand, all as one, consistently and uncompromisingly, in the fight against the criminal regime, the enemy who desecrated our sacred Hradcany, who will pay brutally for it. All together. - forward to the battle for a free Czechoslovakia in a free Europe! But at that time everything was already clear...
The Czechs saved the country and people, but, probably, they lost something in themselves, inside...
But they are happy to play war now.
While the procession was going on, I went to inspect the surrounding area.
City theatre.
Monument to fellow countrymen who fell on the fields of the First World War.
The monument to Soviet soldiers is surrounded by a fence. Believed to be under renovation. But I didn’t see any work nearby.
The Church of St. Bartholomew appeared at the same time as Pardubice Castle. It was built on the site of a church built in 1295.
