Litomyšl, Polonized Litomyśl, is a city in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. As of December 31, 2003, its population was 10,146. The city has a Litomyšl railway station.
- Litomyšl Castle – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most important monument in Litomyšl is the castle located in the heart of the city. It is a historic structure built by the renowned Italian architect Giovanni Batista Aostalla for Vratislav Pernstejn in the 16th century. Interestingly, if you’ve visited Pardubice (and Pardubice Castle), the Perstejn family significantly influenced the development of the region for about 200 years and is responsible for most of the monuments you can see here. From what I’ve read, Vratislav wanted to build a palace in Litomyšl to mark the family’s influence and status – but one thing puzzles me… why did he want to do this when nearby Pardubice already had a massive fortress? The answer is likely a display of his position and wealth. Litomyšl Castle was also built in a more courtly style than the military one of Pardubice Castle. But back to the point – Litomyšl Castle was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999 for being one of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture in Central Europe. One of the most distinctive elements is the decorative sgraffito, which adorns the castle façade and depicts mythological, religious, and everyday scenes. The castle interior was equally lavishly decorated, intended to reflect the family’s status and importance. Visitors can enter the castle courtyard free of charge. From here, you’ll have a perfect view of the building’s ornate façades and the interior stained glass windows (the castle is undergoing renovations in 2024, so some areas may be under renovation and obscured by scaffolding). The castle is known for its Renaissance character, but experts may also discover Baroque elements. This is all thanks to noble families who took over the castle in the 18th century (e.g., the Trautmannsdorfs and the Thurn-Taxises) and rebuilt parts of it. Nevertheless, the castle’s Renaissance character has been preserved. Tours of the palace chambers are subject to a fee and are only available in groups of a maximum of 25 people. Therefore, you can book your tour online in advance to ensure availability. Tickets cost approximately 35 PLN per adult, and the tour lasts approximately one hour.
- The Bedřich Smetana Museum. One of the places in Litomyšl that completely surprised us was the Bedřich Smetana Museum – one of the most famous Czech composers. After visiting the castle, the children were quite tired, and we felt that visiting the composer’s museum might be a “risky” move. Every parent with young children knows exactly what I mean. However, we took the risk and were very pleasantly surprised. The first exhibition we visited was a room where a spacious audiovisual concert takes place. You can comfortably sit in a chair, the room darkens, and “magic” begins to unfold on the walls. With dancing steps, figures begin to appear on the walls, and a story unfolds, consistent with Bedrich’s composition. In the next room, you can see the bedroom where little Smetana was born and the room where he grew up. Bedrich himself tells the story of his childhood and how music has always accompanied his heart. He talks about how he created, what plans his parents had for him, and how his mother and later his father supported him in his plans.
- Portmoneum – an unusual museum showcasing the work of Josef Váchal. One of the recommended places is the Portmoneum, located in the home of his friend, Josef Portman. The name of this place comes from the combination of two words – the owner’s surname and the museum. Portmoneum stands out not only for its unique exhibition but also for its unusual and surreal interior. When visiting this place, be prepared to dedicate some time to it. The rooms are lavishly decorated, and each fragment of the grand whole tells a completely different story or current of thought. How did the Pormoneum come about? In the 1920s, Josef Portman, a bibliophile and publisher from Litomyśl, invited Josef Váchal to decorate the interiors of his home. Váchal, known for his eccentricity and talent, agreed, creating what could be called a complete work of art. He covered the walls, ceilings, and even the furniture with paintings full of symbolism, mystical visions, and references to esotericism, religion, and nature. The interiors are dominated by vibrant colors and expressive paintings, including depictions of fantastical creatures, biblical scenes, themes of death, and elements drawn from folk beliefs. A small cinema was also installed in the attic, where you can watch an animated story related to Josef’s work. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see everything, as the film isn’t suitable for young children – it features demons and ghosts, which unfortunately effectively drove us out of the attic. If you’re passionate about art and want to see something unusual, the Portmoneum is definitely an attraction we recommend. However, for families with young children, it may be more stressful than enjoyable. As the entire house is a work of art, it’s important to supervise children so they don’t touch anything, which can be difficult to manage with little ones.
- Litomyšl’s Old Town – the market square. Although the square itself is just one large parking lot, the colorful buildings and numerous narrow streets add to the town’s charm. Restaurants serving traditional Czech dishes are easy to find here. Moreover, some of them offer local Litomyšl breweries. Many of the squares are decorated in an artistic style, as can be seen in the shape, color, and unusual form of the benches (one, for example, was a reenactment of an accident with a tire stuck in it).
- The Piarist Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross in Litomyšl. The last place we visited in Litomyšl was the Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross (Kostel Nalezení svatého Kříže). It is one of the city’s most important religious monuments, located near the castle. This Baroque church played a significant role in the development of the city and the education of the residents of Litomyšl. Today, it remains a sacred building, so admission is free. However, if you wish to climb the observation tower or explore the side naves, you must purchase an admission ticket. The church boasts numerous side altars dedicated to various saints and patron saints. Many of them are the work of local Baroque artists. The Stations of the Cross, beautifully decorated and meticulously crafted, are also worthy of special attention.
