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In search of knights

In search of knights

Set off on a fascinating trip that will take you to the Lanškroun Château, where you will learn about the history of the town and its significant inhabitants, and to Litice Castle, which towers above the Divoká Orlice River and offers breath-taking views. Be sure not to forget about the Letohrad Château, which will enchant you with its baroque grace and its art collections, and the Międzylesie Château, the history of which is interwoven with legends of knights and kings.

DAY 1:The Lanškroun Château, Litice nad Orlicí Castle

Discover the magic of East Bohemian monuments, namely the Lanškroun Château and Litice nad Orlicí Castle. The château will take you through the history of the town, while Litice will offer a wonderful view of the Divoká Orlice River.

The Lanškroun Château

The Lanškroun Château is located on Alois Jirásek Square. It has been reconstructed on multiple occasions throughout its history, during which its appearance has changed significantly. The château has been the property of the town since 1928 and it now houses the municipal museum. You can view the exhibition on Lanškroun’s history, where there is also information about a lot of local inhabitants. The Imperial Room recalls the imperial manoeuvres of the Austro-Hungarian army in the vicinity of Lanškroun in 1894 with the participation of Franz Josef I. The museum also houses coins and medallions by Zdeněk Kolářský, ceramic statues by Lubomír Šilar or a reminder of the composer and conductor Jindřich Praveček. At Christmas time, visitors to the museum can enjoy the annually expanded Lanškroun nativity scene of personalities.

The Litice nad Orlicí State Castle

Litice Castle stretches out on a rocky knoll high above a deep turn of the Divoká Orlice River. The current castle ruins no longer suggest it, but you are walking through the former royal seat of King George of Poděbrady, one of the leading fortresses of the 15th century which was designated as the “Second Karlštejn“. You can also climb the observation tower and view the river as it meanders below you and much more. The castle is part of the “Château on the Orlice – the Czech Loire” tourist project and you can visit another castle and four châteaux within just 9 km.

Tips in the environs

  • The Lanškroun Fishponds: discover a unique set of seven fishponds at the edge of the town of Lanškroun. You will find excellent room to rest in this quiet nature park.
  • The Žampach Arboretum: walk through an extensive arboretum with more than 550 tree species and varieties. You will also find a smaller collection of bamboos and cosy nooks for sitting.

Accommodation tips

  • Hotel Forea, Lanškroun
  • The Zátiší Guesthouse, Litice nad Orlicí

Restaurant tips

  • The Gourmet Lounge Redstaurant, Lanškroun
  • The Zátiší Guesthouse Restaurant, Litice nad Orlicí

DAY 2 The Letohrad Château, Międzylesie Castle

Visit the Letohrad Château and the Międzylesie Castle where history merges with romance. Baroque halls, the works of Alfons Mucha and exotic animals await you at Letohrad. Międzylesie will take you back to a time of knights and regale you with stories of King Sobieski. Treat yourself to accommodation hotel and enjoy culinary experiences.

The Letohrad Château

The Letohrad Château was originally a wooden fortress which Count Vitanovský had converted into an early baroque château at the end of the 17th century. In 1945, the château was confiscated and transferred to the ownership of the town, whereupon it underwent extensive reconstruction. It houses a private grammar school, a hotel with a restaurant, a library and the château exhibition. During your tour, you’ll be acquainted with periods of the baroque, historicism and the art nouveau. You can also admire the works of Alfons Mucha who hired a studio in Letohrad, formerly Kyšperk. The highlight of the tour is the musical cabinet. The château’s ground floor houses the Museum and Room of Jára Cimrman.

The château is surrounded by a natural landscape park. There is an Empire-style gazebo, an artificial cave, an aviary with parrots, a pen with kangaroos and an orangery there. You can admire the beauty of exotic plants and in particular Australian fauna with parrots and the sea aquarium in its left-hand section.

Międzylesie Castle

Międzylesie Castle was built by the von Glaubitz family of knights in the mid-14th century. Of the original buildings dating from the beginning of the 15th century, only the tower, known as the Black Tower, remained. The new owners subsequently added renaissance and baroque wings to it. Jan III Sobieski, considered to be the last of the great Polish kings and one of the greatest fighters against the Turks, also fell for its charms. Some people even claim that the king still wanders the castle corridors there. You can view this unique monument both during the day and at night. Be sure not to miss the opportunity to book accommodation at the local hotel or to enjoy the renowned delicacies at the local restaurant.

Tips in the environs

  • The Museum of Crafts, Letohrad: the largest museum of its type in the Czech Republic will take you back to a time when people mainly relied on their skills and craftsmanship.
  • The Garden of Fairy Tales, Międzylesie: view the unique collection of wooden statues that depict fairytale characters and places.

Accommodation tips

  • Hotel Tvrz Orlice
  • accommodation at Międzylesie Castle

Restaurant tips

  • The Sauna Restaurant, Letohrad
  • The restaurant at Międzylesie Castle