Letohrad town

the Czech Republic

inhabitants: 6 250                               

cadastral territory: 2 409,049 ha

altitude: 364m

post code: 561 51

telephone prefix: 0042 465

region: Pardubice

   Lovely little town beneath Orlické hory (Eagle mountains), which used to be called Kyšperk until the year 1950, is in East Bohemia on the bank of river Tichá Orlice (Silent eagle). The first mention comes from the year 1308. The biggest aggrandizement run over the 17 century, when the Earl Ignác Jetřich Vitanovský of Vlčkovice changend the town and lives of local people in the most significant way. He rebuilt the fortress and changed it into a baroque palace and founded a baroque church of the St. Wenceslas. This church is beautifly decorated with fabulous plasters (stucco) from an Italian master Giovanni Maderna. A dominating feature of the square is the baroque Marian Plaque Column. 

   The town offers its visitors nice tours to nearby Orlické hory, lovely walks into the forests around Letohrad and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, still not spoiled by polution. A baroque chapel of St. Jan Nepomuk on the hill above the town attracts the visitors as well. Also a castle park in English style with classicism summer-house and cave - grotto with look-out is a great place to walk or rest. 

   You can get to know the history of the town in the Municipal museum, where you can see the original Napoleon's sleigh aside from else, on which Napoleon came from Moscow to Dresden in 1812. There is also private Museum of Handcrafts in Letohrad. The world-famous Czech painter Alfons Mucha (art nouveau) lived and worked in this town in years 1934 - 35. His sketches are aslo in the collection of the Municipal museum.

   There are annual events like International spring music festival, a popular fair with lot of attractions and plenty of exhibitions in Letohrad.

webmaster: Dagmar Tichá 2002 - Infocenter