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Pardubice – The City of Gingerbread and Horses
This important industrial city lies in Eastern Bohemia, at the confluence of the Elbe and Chrudimka rivers. It owes it renown mostly to the production of gingerbread and its famous Velká Pardubická steeplechase. In addition to the beautiful historic centre with the Renaissance castle, there are several other architecturally remarkable monuments. It is also worth mentioning the charming surrounding countryside, most inviting for hiking and cycling trips.
Don’t miss:
Pardubice Château
Zámek 2, Pardubice 
vcm.cz
An exceptional Renaissance building from the turn of the 15th and 16th century and the city’s true gem. You will find here the oldest artistic nude in the history of Czech fine art, the Fortuna Volubilis – Fickle Fortune; the Knights’ Halls with the oldest Renaissance murals in Bohemia, as well as a secret civil defence bunker in one of the castle wall roundels. Also unparalleled is the surviving original layout of a water-moat castle, closed off from the outside world by massive earthworks, complete with unique replicas of the original multi-barrel volley-gun artillery that stood here during Pernštejn rule.
The château is the seat of the East Bohemian Gallery and the East Bohemian Museum with a permanent exhibition of weapons, postcards and an extensive collection of Czech glass. Since 2018, Pardubice château has been part of one of the Czech St James’s pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. In front of the entrance of the Elbe Gate, pilgrims will find a sandstone plaque with a stylized St James’ scallop shell. In addition to the inscription Santiago de Compostela, the plaque in front of the château states the distance from Pardubice to the destination: 3,224 kilometres.
The Green Gate
Zelenobranská 69, Pardubice 
zelenabrana.eu
This Renaissance gate and tower is the dominant feature of the Pardubice city heritage zone. The façade is decorated with an embossed relief by Mikoláš Aleš, depicting the coat of arms of the Lords of Pardubice. The tower is 60 metres high and offers great views of the city, the château and the surrounding area.
Pernštýnské náměstí Perštýnské náměstí, Pardubice
A picturesque square lined with town houses, dominated by the showy Town Hall building in the Neo-Renaissance style, dating from the end of the 19th century. The most admired Baroque monument in Pardubice is house no. 50 on the east side of the square, called “U Jonáše” [Jonah’s Place] in view of the large relief adorning its façade, depicting the Biblical prophet Jonah in the mouth of a whale.
Church of St Bartholomew
Kostelní 108, Pardubice 
farnost-pardubice.cz
This late-Gothic church from the early 16th century was built by William of Pernštejn as a temple for the Minorite Order Monastery and as a burial ground for the Czech branch of the Lords of Pernštejn. The dominant feature of the church presbytery is a massive sandstone tumba with marble tombstone bearing the life-sized figure of Vojtěch of Pernštejn (+1534). In 1912, the church acquired a richly decorated extension on the western side.
The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary
Komenského náměstí 125, Pardubice 
farnost-pardubice.cz
The Church was founded in the middle of the 14th century by the co-owner of the town and also Archbishop of Prague, Arnošt of Pardubice, and is one of the oldest buildings in Pardubice.
Automatic mills Mezi Mosty, Pardubice facebook.com
This unique construction on the banks of Chrudimka designed by architect Josef Gočár is a great example of quality modern architecture as regards an industrial building. The electric mill, powered from a nearby hydroelectric plant was founded here by the Winternitz family.
The Crematorium Pod Břízkami 990, Pardubice
The earliest crematorium in the Czech Republic, designed by architect Pavel Janák and artist František Kysela. The Rondo-cubist building from the 1920s is one of the most interesting examples of modern architecture in the city. The Pardubice Crematorium is a National Cultural Monument. It also played its part in the famous Czech film ‘The Cremator’ (“Spalovač mrtvol”).
Racecourse Pražská 607, Pardubice zavodistepardubice.cz
The racecourse grounds of the famous Velká Pardubická steeplechase can be explored on a guided tour when no organized event is scheduled. You will learn interesting snippets from its history, hear accounts of famous steeplechasers, and take a close-up look at the hurdles, including the dreaded Taxis Trench. Tours in Czech and English are held only on weekdays and must be booked in advance.
Kunětická Hora Ráby 6, Ráby hrad-kunetickahora.cz
The monumental castle at Kunětická Hora is located near Pardubice and stands out from the local flat terrain. The Castle Tower is the highest point far and wide and offers wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. The castle is a great place to take the kids. It is open from March to October.
Gingerbread Cottage Ráby 38, Ráby pernikova-chaloupka.cz
A former 19th-century hunting lodge located near Kunětická Hora Castle. Today it serves as an experiential Gingerbread Museum. On show are over one thousand gingerbreads from all over the Czech Republic. It is open here from the first Saturday in March to New Year’s Eve.
Kladruby nad Labem and Slatiňany National Stud Kladruby nad Labem 1, Kladruby nad Labem nhkladruby.cz Zámecký park 169, Slatiňany nhkladruby.cz
One of the oldest stud farms in the Czech Republic, famous for the Czech breed of horses with the longest lineage – the Old Kladruber. Its history dates back to at least the 14th century and the horses are unique in having been bred especially for aristocratic ceremonies, as indeed they are to this day.
In addition to standard guided tours, the Stud puts on numerous special events for the general public every year, where you can see Old Kladrubers in action.
In the stud farm at Slatiňany they breed Old Kladrubers in black, a variety that almost died out in the early 1930s. The local castle has a Hippological Museum, housing extensive collections. The Slatiňany Stud is open from May to October.
Great places to eat & drink:
Café Bajer/ Café In the Courtyard třída Míru 763, Pardubice cafebajer.cz
A stylish establishment on the busy Míru boulevard in the centre of Pardubice with a distinctive interior evocative of a traditional Viennese café.
Čokoláda Bajer Zelenobranská 2, Pardubice cafebajer.cz
Café Bajer’s sister venture is a chocolaterie located in the historic centre of Pardubice, right beneath the Green Gate.
Bakla Café Pernštýnská 40, Pardubice facebook.com
A fine retreat for all lovers of great coffee. A selection of coffee from various roasters is complemented by a selection of home-made desserts.
Galerie Café Park Restaurant Sukova třída 2876, Pardubice galeriecafepardubice.cz
A stylish restaurant at the entrance to Tyršovy Sady park has an atmosphere beyond compare. In fine weather you can enjoy a coffee or something nice to eat here on their beautiful flower-filled sun terrace or in the outdoor garden. You can also rent a picnic basket and blanket and go for a picnic right in the park.
U Dvou Kohoutků [At the Two Roosters] Smilova 364, Pardubice udvoukohoutku.com
A family restaurant with good down-to-earth cooking
Optimista Mezi Mosty, Pardubice pekar-optimista.cz
A bakery and bistro in the Automatic Mills building.
Epifany Patisserie Mezi Mosty 436, Pardubice facebook.com
This patisserie in the Automatic Mills building offers many kinds of excellent ice cream and desserts, both French and classic Czech ones. To top it all they serve excellent Kafe Křižka and Candycane coffee.
More about the destination:
When:
The city is worth a visit all year round.
How to get here:
Pardubice is well accessible by train (in about 1 hour) from Prague Main Station.