The Pardubice area and its treasures: From Sissi to Rumburak

Would you like to experience something exceptional? Come with us to investigate Empress Sissi’s château and the mysteries of the Pardubice Château. Our tours will not only offer an insight into history, but also unique experiences such as an ascent up the château watchtower or a walk around the protective ramparts.

The Kladruby nad Labem Château

The Kladruby Château is integrally associated with one of the oldest stud farms in the world. This unique symbiosis between the château and the stud farm creates an atmosphere that enchants visitors. Be transported back to the time of Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Elizabeth, known as Sissi. On the tour, you will pass through twelve period appointed halls and rooms, view the church that they had built there and hear about their customs and remarkable fates.

The East Bohemian Museum – the Pardubice Château

The Renaissance Pardubice Château is considered unique in Central Europe, mainly thanks to its size and appearance. It is located in the very heart of the city behind massive protective ramparts with circular rondels. You can admire the replicas of the Pernstein cannons on the ramparts and you are also sure to come across peacocks there. The most valuable château areas are open to the public as part of the Pernstein Residence tour: this involves the oldest renaissance residence in Bohemia. The tours include the interactive Pernstein armoury and family gallery. The château’s cellars house a lapidarium and a denarius treasure, which is part of the permanent numismatic exhibition. The exhibition of contemporary glass art is also remarkable. The civil defence shelter, which has been built in the renaissance ramparts, is a further point of interest.

Tips in the environs

• The National Stud Farm in Kladruby nad Labem: one of the oldest stud farms in the world and at the same time home to the oldest original Czech horse breed, the Kladruber horse. In 2019, the Kladruby Elbe River area was entered into the UNESCO register as a Region for the Breeding and Training of Ceremonial Carriage Horses in Kladruby nad Labem.
• The automatic mills, Pardubice – this involves a unique link between history and modern life. This monumental structure, designed by the architect Josef Gočár, has since become a cultural and social centre. You can visit the Gočár Gallery, the Sféra educational centre, the Gallery of the City of Pardubice (GAMPA) or the Silo there.

Accommodation tips

• Hotel 100, Pardubice
• Hotel Zámecká, Pardubice

Restaurant tips

• The Císařský Inn, Kladruby nad Labem
• The Nejen Dvorek Restaurant, Pardubice

Set off on a journey through time. Visit unique monuments in East Bohemia: Kunětická hora Castle and the Kamieniec Château. Discover history, enjoy the peace and quiet and create your own unforgettable experiences.

Kunětická hora Castle

It is difficult to find a more distinctive dominant feature of the Elbe Lowlands than Kunětická hora with the unmistakable silhouette of the castle that enjoyed its greatest glory during the period of the House of Pernstein. Its current appearance will be imprinted upon your memory: the romantic silhouette of the castle is unmatched in the area. It is certainly worth ascending to the Castle and viewing its restored interiors, the newly reconstructed Castle Palace and the Chapel of Saint Catherine. You may recognise it as “Rumburak’s Castle” from the series Arabela and there is even a dragon that waits for the younger visitors. The castle or the observation points below it will provide you with breath-taking views of the wider environs.

Sarny Castle

Sarny Castle is located on a rocky promontory in the valley of the Ścinawka River between Sowie gory and Stołowe góry. The Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk with wonderful frescoes and ceiling paintings depicting the life of the Saint stands next to the main building, which is open to the public. The older frescoes are also unique. Nowadays, the chapel is mainly used as a venue for concerts of spiritual music. You can try the always fresh cakes, many types of tea and the carefully curated collection of wine and beer at the stylised cafe. The cafe in the guard tower or the castle hall is an ideal place for holding celebrations and weddings. Accommodation is also available in the Writers’ House at the Sarny Farmstead.

Tips in the environs

• The Gingerbread Museum, Ráby: a gingerbread cottage hides behind the moss and ferns in the area beneath Kunětická hora Castle. The museum on the history of gingerbread making in the Pardubice area will provide you with an alternative fairytale. And if you are good, you may well even receive a piece of gingerbread to help you on your way.
• The Polanica-Zdrój spa: discover the pearl of the Lower Silesian spas, which is located not far from the Czech-Polish border in the foothills of the Bystrice and Stołowe Mountains.

Accommodation tips

• Accommodation under Kunětická hora, Ráby
• Accommodation at the château in Kamieniec

Restaurant tips

• The Pod Kunětickou horou Restaurant, Ráby
• The château restaurant in Kamieniec