133PREMIER.CZ

Chrudim – Hlinsko region

If you want to discover the beauty of the green and blossoming countryside there is nothing better than the region extending between Železné Hory and Žďárské Vrchy. It is a region of nature monuments and reserves, as can be seen in the example of the environmentally valuable Železné Hory, which encompass several minor nature reservations. The locals consider Chudimsko and Hlinecko to be an ideal recreation area, as attested by the dense network of hiking, educational and nature trails as well as the countless opportunities to engage in winter, water and air sports.

In addition, the local inhabitants are proud of their history and their traditions. The rich craft and industrial traditions of the region can be seen in the open-aim museum on Veselý Kopec (or “Cheerful Hill” in English), in handicraft workshops in Možděnice and Hlinsko, in the exceptional museum of puppet cultures in Chrudim or in the horse museum in Slatiňany. Plus, we must include the usual assortment of medieval castles; charming castles and châteaux set amongst beautiful gardens and parks cannot be missing either.

Chrudim – a historic town with a famous puppet tradition. The Renaissance-era Mydlář House hosts the Museum of Puppet Cultures with puppets and marionettes from all around the world. In Chrudim, you can also visit the Traditional Czech Puppet Theatre, the playroom, puppet shop, puppet performances and puppet workshops.
Košumberk Castle – a ruin of a medieval castle situated near the town of Luže. The castle includes the burgrave’s palace, the museum of the castle history and the collection of stone sculptures and architectural elements in the castle dungeons.
Seč Reservoir – the best-known and most frequented artificial lake on the Chrudimka River, and a renowned recreational area. The lake is guarded by the charming ruin of the medieval Oheb castle with remains of palaces, towers, fortifications and gateways.
Lichnice Castle – a ruin of an ancient castle in the protected landscape area of Železné hory. Picturesque Lovětín Ravine, Peklo (Hell) Valley. Large original beech and alder woods situated along the water streams.
Chateau Nové Hrady – a Rococo residence from the late 18th century designed in the style of French summer residences, also known as the Czech Versailles or Little Schönbrunn. An English park, a gallery, furniture exhibition by the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, a museum of cycling.
Slatiňany – an extraordinary horse museum, paddocks for Przewalski's horses and Old Kladruby horses. Cat Castle, an artificial ruin built for the children of one of the owners of Slatiňany manor.
Collection of Vernacular Architecture Vysočina – an open-air museum and a beautiful collection of 18th- and 19th-century vernacular architecture from Českomoravská Vrchovina and Železné Hory. The set of agricultural settlements of Veselý Kopec, Svobodné Hamry, Betlém v Hlinsko and the workshops of folk craftsmen in Možděnice.
Betlém v Hlinsku – the historic town center includes a remarkable set of stave houses and bakers’, potters’, weavers’ and toymakers’ workshops. An integral part of the Vysočina Collection Vernacular Architecture.
Kočí – a town with a Gothic, 14th-century St. Bartholomew's Church with a wooden bell tower dating from the year 1666 with a painted coffered ceiling. The church can be reached by a roofed wooden bridge.
Heřmanův Městec – a preserved Jewish ghetto. The restored Neo-Renaissance synagogue and former Jewish school contains the Cyrany Gallery – a collection of artwork from 20th-century East Bohemian painters and sculptures. A very rare Jewish graveyard with many Renaissance and Baroque tombstones.