Pardubice is one of the Czech cities with a rich history and culture, which translates into wonderful monuments. Pardubice proudly boasts a beautiful old square with an impressive neo-Renaissance town hall, an Art Nouveau theater and a Renaissance castle. It is necessary to mention the popular horse riding events and the traditional local gingerbread.
Location
Pardubice is located in the central part of the Czech Republic, in the Pardubice Valley, at the confluence of the Chrudimka and Elbe rivers. About 100 km from the Polish border.
Gingerbread
The most important symbol of the city is the Pardubice gingerbread. The tradition of gingerbread production dates back to the 15th century. The city has its own secret recipe which I guard. In Ráby under Kunětickou horou you can visit the Gingerbread House with a museum of gingerbread and fairy tales presenting the history of Pardubice gingerbread and the fairy tale forest through which Hansel and Gretel wandered to the gingerbread house.
It is worth visiting local shops and markets where you can buy gingerbread. Here you will find individual gingerbreads and sets in decorative boxes for occasions such as Christmas, Easter, Grandparents’ Day, Mother’s and Father’s Day and other occasions.
Horses
The city is also famous for its horse racing. The Great Pardubice, one of the most famous and most difficult horse races, has been held in Pardubice since 1874. The obstacle course is almost 7 kilometers long and attracts the most outstanding riders from all over the world and the best horses. The brightest star among jockeys is Josef Váň, who won the race eight times and then nine more times as a trainer. In 1937, the victory went to the only woman so far – Lata Brandisová.
Sightseeing
- Pardubice market square
The wonderful market square houses picturesque tenement houses in the style of various eras. It is worth paying attention to the Renaissance town hall, which was recently renovated. The four facades of the City Hall are characterized by the virtues that officials working in the City Hall and the city’s inhabitants should have. These virtues are: Honesty, Fortitude, Charity and Lawfulness.
In the center of the market square stands the baroque Plague Column, erected in memory of the plague epidemic, which is a testimony to difficult moments in the city’s history. Also in the city center you will find many charming restaurants, bars and cafes serving traditional Czech dishes.
From the main city square there are charming cobblestone streets lined with colorful tenement houses. On one of these streets there is the Green Gate, which catches the eye from a distance. Wandering through the streets lined with atmospheric cafes and restaurants, we will also reach the historic church of St. Bartholomew with a characteristic, soaring tower from the 16th century.
- Zelená brána (Green Gate)
The Green Gate is one of the most important monuments in Pardubice and, together with the castle, dominates the historic center of the city. The Renaissance entrance gate is decorated with the coat of arms of the lords of Pardubice, whose coat of arms is used by Pardubice as the city’s emblem. The inner part of the entrance hall hosts regular exhibitions by local artists. Behind the entrance gate there is a tower over 60 meters high, which offers a wonderful view of the city nature reserve, the castle and the surrounding area, including the Kunětická hora castle.
- Castle in Pardubice
Pardubice Castle is a Renaissance castle located near the historical center of the city. Due to its surface and appearance, it is considered a gem of Central Europe. Visitors can still see the remains of the building today. The most significant reconstruction works took place at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries during the reign of the Pernstein family. Wilhelm II of Pernsztejn rebuilt the castle into a Renaissance palace with four wings and surrounded it with fortifications.
- Pardubice Crematorium
The Creatorium in Pardubice, sometimes called the House of Light or the Temple of Death, is both an architectural structure and a place of ceremonial farewell to those who have passed away. Built in 1921–1923, it was the first Czech crematorium. It is a national cultural monument and a fascinating building.
- Automatic Mills
Automatic Mills -on the banks of the Chrudimka River in downtown Pardubice, Czech Republic, stands a national monument. A former industrial site that developed around an early-20th century gristmill, it was recently repurposed as a social and cultural hub. Its buildings now house various institutions, including the regional Gočár Gallery, the Pardubice Gallery of Contemporary Art (GAMPA), the Sphere schools workshops, and an information point.
- City Theater
The Municipal Theater in Pardubice was built in the Art Nouveau style in 1907-1909. It is the largest theater in the city, but also the home stage of the Theater of Eastern Bohemia. It is worth going to one of the proposed performances.
- Machoň’s passage
Machoň’s passage was built during the First Republic in the years 1924-1925. The passage connects Míru Street with Karlovina and according to the original plan, it was supposed to be followed by a market with another passage. Architect Ladislav Machoň took on the role of designer. The arcade had 28 shops, a basement restaurant, and the building was originally supposed to have 26 apartments. However, the project was changed to 31 smaller apartments.
