East Bohemia (also known as Eastern Bohemia) is a charming and diverse region in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, encompassing the administrative regions of Hradec Králové and Pardubice. It features a mix of historic towns, stunning natural landscapes including the Giant Mountains (Krkonoše) and Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj), cultural heritage sites, and opportunities for outdoor activities year-round.
Hradec Králové Region
Hradec Králové —
The vibrant regional capital, often called the "City of Czech
Queens," known for its impressive modernist architecture, beautiful
historic center, and riverside location at the confluence of the
Elbe and Orlice rivers.
Trutnov — A gateway town to the Giant
Mountains, offering access to hiking trails, skiing, and nearby
natural attractions.
Náchod — A picturesque town with a
well-preserved historic center, dominated by a grand castle
overlooking the area.
Jičín — A truly beautiful town serving as
the main gateway to the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj), a UNESCO
Geopark famous for its dramatic sandstone rock formations, forests,
castles like Kost and Trosky, and scenic hiking routes.
Dvůr
Králové nad Labem — A historic royal dowry town situated in the
scenic Elbe River valley at the foothills of the Krkonoše (Giant)
Mountains. It's renowned for its charming old town and especially
the world-famous Safari Park Dvůr Králové, one of Europe's largest
and most respected zoos specializing in African animals.
Špindlerův Mlýn — The Czech Republic's
premier winter sports resort in the heart of the Giant Mountains
(Krkonoše National Park). It offers extensive ski slopes,
chairlifts, cross-country trails, and summer activities like hiking,
mountain biking, and adventure sports, making it a top destination
for outdoor enthusiasts in all seasons.
Nové Město nad Metují — A
delightful smaller city perched above the Metuje River, featuring an
elegant Renaissance and early Baroque castle with beautiful gardens,
a unique covered wooden bridge connecting the castle to the town,
and a cozy historic square lined with colorful arcaded houses —
creating a fairy-tale-like atmosphere.
Pardubice Region
Pardubice — The region's main city and cultural hub, famous for its
gingerbread tradition, grand Renaissance castle, colorful historic
square, and an international airport that serves as a convenient
entry point to East Bohemia. It's also known for its annual Grand
Pardubice steeplechase horse race.
Chrudim — Often called the
"Athens of Eastern Bohemia" due to its rich cultural life, puppetry
heritage, and classical music festivals.
Svitavy — A pleasant
town with historic architecture and green surroundings.
Česká
Třebová — An important railway junction town with a long history and
nearby natural areas.
Ústí nad Orlicí District — Encompassing
several smaller communities with scenic landscapes and local
traditions.
Vysoké Mýto — Known for its well-preserved medieval
town square and automotive history (birthplace of the Škoda brand's
early vehicles).
Moravská Třebová — A border town blending
Bohemian and Moravian influences, with notable medieval architecture
and historic buildings.
Litomyšl — A UNESCO World Heritage gem
thanks to its magnificent Renaissance Litomyšl Castle, an
outstanding example of an arcaded château. The town is also
celebrated as the birthplace of composer Bedřich Smetana and hosts
major classical music festivals.
Lanškroun — A quiet town with a
historic center and surrounding countryside ideal for relaxed
exploration.
Hlinsko — A smaller town known for its folk
traditions, including the Vysočina open-air museum of traditional
architecture nearby.
Krkonoše
National Park (Giant Mountains)
This impressive mountain range
stretches along the Czech-Polish border and is home to Sněžka (1,603 m /
5,259 ft), the highest peak in the Czech Republic (known in Polish as
Śnieżka and in German as Schneekoppe). The area features dramatic
glacial valleys, crystal-clear rivers, and iconic waterfalls like the
towering Pančava Waterfall (the tallest in Czechia at around 148 meters)
and the picturesque Mumlava Waterfall. Established in 1963, Krkonoše
National Park is the oldest in the country, protecting unique alpine
flora, raised bogs, and diverse wildlife. It's a year-round paradise for
hiking, skiing, and enjoying panoramic views from spots like Medvědín or
the source of the Elbe River.
Český Ráj (Czech Paradise /
Bohemian Paradise)
A breathtaking protected landscape area renowned
for its dramatic sandstone rock formations, dense forests, karst
features, and rich cultural heritage. Highlights include fairy-tale-like
castles (such as Hrubá Skála perched atop rocks), chateaus, and ancient
ruins like Trosky Castle with its twin towers dramatically rising from
volcanic plugs. The region is dotted with "rock cities" and labyrinths
of towering pinnacles, making it ideal for hiking, climbing, and
photography.
Prachovské skály (Prachov Rocks)
One of the most
iconic parts of Czech Paradise, this sandstone "rock city" features
massive blocks, soaring towers, pillars, and narrow passages sculpted
over millennia by wind and water. Well-marked trails (including loops of
1–3 hours) lead to stunning viewpoints, such as panoramic overlooks of
the surrounding Bohemian Paradise landscape. It's a paradise for nature
lovers, with easy-to-moderate paths, stairways into the rocks, and
breathtaking vistas.
Orlické hory (Eagle Mountains / Orlické
Mountains)
A scenic mountain range in northeastern Bohemia, running
along the Polish border. It offers peaceful hiking trails, rolling
hills, dense forests, and charming villages, with opportunities for
cross-country skiing in winter and cycling or nature walks in summer.
Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area
Located near the town of
Broumov, this area protects remarkable sandstone landscapes, including
the famous Adršpach-Teplice Rocks (one of the largest rock labyrinths in
Czechia, with thousands of towering formations up to 80+ meters, narrow
gorges like the 50 cm-wide "Siberian Passage," lakes, and a 16-meter
waterfall) and the Broumovské stěny (Broumov Walls). It's a magical,
otherworldly region perfect for exploration on foot.
Vrchlabí
A charming gateway town to the Giant Mountains, serving as a base for
adventures in Krkonoše with its mix of historic architecture, museums,
and access to trails and ski resorts.
Hanička Artillery Fortress
(Tvrz Hanička)
A well-preserved example of pre-WWII Czechoslovak
border fortifications built in the 1930s. This underground artillery
fort features armored turrets, long corridors, and halls. In the
1970s–1990s, it was partially rebuilt as a nuclear bunker (though never
completed). Guided tours explore the objects, and an educational trail
("Fortification of Rokytnice and surroundings") provides info in Czech,
Polish, and English about the site's military history.
Note: No
direct car access to the museum; park at coordinates 50.187135 N,
16.509408 E and walk the marked red tourist trail (about 20–30 minutes
to the fortress). Contact: +420 491 616 998 or tvrzhanicka@seznam.cz.
Admission around 80 Kč (reduced 40 Kč).
Dětenice Castle (Zámek
Dětenice)
A historic castle offering a glimpse into medieval and
Renaissance life, often with themed experiences, dining, and events.
Ležáky Memorial
A poignant site commemorating the tragic
destruction of the village of Ležáky on June 24, 1942, by Nazi forces in
retaliation for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. The hamlet (a
hiding place for paratroopers and their radio) was razed, its
inhabitants murdered (except two children saved), and the site never
rebuilt. Today, memorials mark former house locations, with exhibits
preserving the memory of this WWII atrocity. It's located about 30 km
south of Pardubice, near Miřetice.
Additional nearby highlights
include:
Adršpach-Teplice Rocks
(as mentioned in Broumovsko)
Josefov Fortress (another historic
military site)
Safari Park Dvůr Králové (a top-rated zoo with
Europe's largest collection of African animals, including giraffes,
lions, rhinos, and safari experiences)
Opočno Castle (a beautiful
historic chateau)
Ratibořice Castle (linked to literary history)
Museum of Textile in Česká Skalice (showcasing regional textile
heritage)
Les Království Reservoir (a scenic dam and lake for
relaxation)
Vices and Virtues Statues in Kuks (famous Baroque
sculptures by Matthias Braun)
Babiččino údolí (Grandmother's Valley)
— A picturesque valley along the Úpa River near Ratibořice, immortalized
in Božena Němcová's classic novel The Grandmother. It features charming
landscapes, trails, a mill, and sites tied to the book's characters and
the author's childhood.
Prehistoric and Ancient Times
Archaeological evidence shows
continuous habitation for millennia. In July 2025, a rescue excavation
near Hradec Králové uncovered one of the largest and best-preserved
Celtic (Boii tribe) settlements in Central Europe, dating to the La Tène
period (c. 450–50 BCE). Covering over 65 acres (26 ha), it served as a
major economic and administrative center with workshops for pottery,
glass, and coin minting (gold and silver coins found), plus trade links
along the Amber Road. Over 13,000 artifacts confirm sophisticated
craftsmanship — this site directly ties the name “Bohemia” (from the
Boii) to East Bohemia.
Germanic tribes (Marcomanni, Quadi) followed
in the Roman era. Slavic tribes arrived in waves during the Migration
Period (5th–6th centuries CE), establishing the foundations of Czech
settlement. By the 9th century, the area fell briefly under Great
Moravia before integrating into the emerging Duchy (later Kingdom) of
Bohemia under the Přemyslid dynasty.
Early and High Middle Ages
(10th–14th Centuries)
Early written records emerge in the 10th–13th
centuries along trade routes from Prague to Moravia and Poland. Litomyšl
appears in 981 as a fortified Slavník dynasty settlement; it received
town rights in 1259 under King Ottokar II. Hradec Králové’s castle is
first reliably mentioned around 1091 (in Cosmas of Prague’s Chronica
Boemorum), with the settlement granted city status by 1225. Pardubice’s
church is documented in 1295, and the settlement became a city in 1340
under Arnošt of Pardubice.
A pivotal development came in 1306 when
Hradec Králové became a dowry town (věnné město) of Bohemian queens.
Queens such as Elizabeth Richeza of Poland (resided 1308–1318) and
Elizabeth of Pomerania (1378–1393) made it their residence, elevating it
to a military, political, and cultural center with high levels of
education. Fires (1290, 1339, 1407) prompted Gothic rebuilding.
Noble
families dominated Pardubice and Litomyšl. The Lords of Pardubice held
the town before the powerful Pernštejn family (from Moravia) purchased
it in 1491, turning it into their main estate and the economic heart of
the region.
Late Middle Ages and Hussite Wars (15th Century)
The Hussite Revolution (1419–1434) profoundly affected East Bohemia.
Hradec Králové sided with the Hussites in 1420 and became a military
stronghold; in 1423 the Hussites destroyed the royal castle. Under King
George of Poděbrady (r. 1458–1471), the city briefly prospered again.
Pardubice’s original church was destroyed during the wars but rebuilt
1507–1514 as a Pernštejn burial site.
The Pernštejn family rebuilt
Pardubice’s medieval castle into a Renaissance fortified residence and
laid out the historic square. In Litomyšl, the Pernštejns constructed
one of Bohemia’s finest Renaissance châteaux (1568–1581), later a UNESCO
World Heritage Site (1999) for its architectural refinement, arcaded
courtyard, and associated buildings (brewery, stables, French garden).
It served as the seat of the short-lived Diocese of Litomyšl
(1344–1474).
Habsburg Era and Early Modern Period (16th–18th
Centuries)
After the Battle of Mohács (1526), Bohemia (including East
Bohemia) came under Habsburg rule. Pardubice was sold to Emperor
Ferdinand I in 1560 due to Pernštejn debts. The Thirty Years’ War
(1618–1648) devastated the area: Swedish armies occupied and largely
destroyed Hradec Králové (1639 onward), depopulating it; Pardubice
successfully resisted a siege by General Torstensson. Recovery brought
Baroque architecture to both cities.
In the 18th century, Emperor
Joseph II transformed Hradec Králové into a massive modern fortress
(construction 1766–1789, covering 320 ha). Suburbs were demolished,
rivers rerouted, and a hill leveled for massive walls — yet it was never
attacked. Litomyšl and Pardubice passed among noble families
(Trauttmansdorff, Waldstein, Thurn und Taxis), fostering Baroque and
Classical rebuilding.
19th Century: Industrialization,
Nationalism, and War
The Josephine fortress era ended dramatically.
The decisive Battle of Königgrätz (Sadová) on 3 July 1866 — the largest
battle of the Austro-Prussian War — took place just north of Hradec
Králové. Prussian victory led to the fortress’s abolition (1884) and
gradual demolition (1893–1930). The battle inspired the famous
“Königgrätzer Marsch.”
Railways arrived (Prague–Olomouc line through
Pardubice in 1845), sparking industrialization: sugar refineries,
engineering, and chemicals in Pardubice; food processing in the Elbe
lowlands. The national revival (Národní obrození) flourished. Litomyšl
became the birthplace of composer Bedřich Smetana (1824); the town later
hosted the Smetanova Litomyšl music festival (since 1946). Folk customs,
lace-making, and literature (Božena Němcová’s tales) thrived in the
hilly countryside. The Velká pardubická steeplechase (Europe’s oldest,
founded 1874) and gingerbread tradition (guild since the 16th century)
became cultural icons.
20th Century to Present
After World War
I, the region became part of the democratic First Czechoslovak Republic
(1918). Hradec Králové underwent visionary urban modernization under
architects Jan Kotěra and Josef Gočár (1920s–1930s), earning the
nickname “Salon of the Republic” for its progressive Functionalist and
Cubist buildings.
World War II brought German occupation (1939–1945)
and Allied bombing (notably Pardubice’s Fanto refinery). Post-1945, the
Communist regime industrialized the area further (chemical plants like
Explosia/Synthesia in Pardubice, linked to Semtex; university founded
1950). From 1960 to 2000, the territory formed the unified East Bohemian
Region (Východočeský kraj), with Hradec Králové as capital. The Velvet
Revolution (1989) ended Communism; Czechoslovakia split peacefully in
1993. Administrative reform in 2000 created the current two regions.
Today, East Bohemia blends heavy industry (chemicals, engineering,
energy) with tourism focused on the Krkonoše National Park,
Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, historic towns, and castles. Population has
stabilized around 1.07 million across both regions after 20th-century
fluctuations. It remains a cultural stronghold — preserving Renaissance
châteaux, Baroque monuments (e.g., Kuks hospital with Matthias Braun
sculptures), folk traditions, and a green, hilly landscape that has long
attracted artists, writers, and vacationers seeking “authentic Bohemia.”
East Bohemia (Czech: Východní Čechy), also known as Eastern Bohemia,
forms the northeastern sector of the historical Bohemian region within
the Czech Republic. It primarily encompasses two modern administrative
units: the Hradec Králové Region (area 4,759 km²) and the Pardubice
Region (area 4,519 km²), together covering roughly 9,278 km² or about
12% of the country. This area lies in the eastern portion of the
Bohemian Massif, a stable ancient geological block, and transitions
dramatically from high border mountains in the north and northeast to
fertile river lowlands in the south and west.
The region borders
Poland along a 208 km frontier (mainly the Hradec Králové Region's
northern and eastern edges), the Liberec and Central Bohemian regions to
the west, and extends toward the historical Bohemia-Moravia boundary in
the southeast (with a small northwestern slice of the Pardubice Region
actually lying in Moravia). Key cities include Hradec Králové (at the
confluence of the Elbe and Orlice rivers) and Pardubice (at the Elbe and
Chrudimka confluence).
Topography and landforms vary sharply over
short distances, creating a classic "mountain-to-plain" profile typical
of northeastern Bohemia. In the north and northeast, the terrain rises
into the Sudetes mountain system:
The Krkonoše (Giant Mountains)
dominate the northern Hradec Králové Region. These include the Czech
Republic’s highest peak, Sněžka (1,603 m), with alpine meadows,
subalpine moorlands, and glacial cirques. Two-thirds of Krkonoše
National Park (the country’s largest national park) lies here.
The Orlické hory (Eagle Mountains) run along the Poland border in the
northeast of both regions.
In the Pardubice Region, additional
uplands include the Hrubý Jeseník range foothills, Upper Svratka
Highlands, and the Iron Mountains (Železné hory).
A distinctive
feature is the Broumovský výběžek (Broumov Promontory) in the Hradec
Králové Region—a sandstone plateau protruding into Poland that hosts
spectacular “rock cities” (Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, Broumov Hills, Ostaš,
and Křížový vrch). These eroded Cretaceous sandstone formations create
labyrinthine pillars, arches, and gorges up to 100 m high.
Southward, the landscape descends through hilly foothills into the
broad, flat Polabí (Elbe Lowland / East Elbe Table), a fertile
agricultural plain at 200–300 m elevation. Lowest points sit at
approximately 201 m (Elbe River near Kojice in Pardubice) and 202 m
(Cidlina River). This lowland occupies the central and southern parts of
both regions and forms part of the larger Bohemian Cretaceous Basin.
Hydrology centers on the Labe (Elbe) River, which rises in the Krkonoše
and flows westward through the entire region, eventually reaching the
North Sea. Major tributaries include the Orlice (meeting the Elbe at
Hradec Králové city), Metuje, Chrudimka (at Pardubice), Doubrava, Tichá
Orlice, and Divoká Orlice. Small northern areas (Broumovský výběžek)
drain to the Oder (Baltic Sea basin), while the extreme eastern edge of
Pardubice belongs to the Morava / Danube (Black Sea) basin. The European
Watershed divide crosses the region, with a notable triple watershed
point at Králický Sněžník (1,424 m, Pardubice’s highest peak).
Artificial reservoirs such as Seč (220 ha) and Pastviny (92 ha) provide
flood control and recreation.
Climate is humid continental
(Köppen Dfb), with strong elevation gradients and increasing
continentality from west to east. Lowland areas around the Elbe average
8–9 °C annually, with hot summers (July highs often >30 °C) and cold
winters (January lows to –10 °C or lower). Mountain zones average only 4
°C or less annually, with heavier snowfall and a shorter growing season.
Annual precipitation ranges from 600–800 mm in the Polabí lowlands to
800–1,000+ mm on windward mountain slopes. The region experiences
frequent temperature inversions in winter and occasional summer
thunderstorms or winter blizzards in the highlands.
Geology and soils
reflect the ancient Bohemian Massif: primarily Paleozoic and Mesozoic
rocks, with prominent Cretaceous sandstones in the northeast (source of
the rock cities) and metamorphic/igneous rocks in the Sudetes. Soils
vary from fertile cambisols and chernozems in the agricultural lowlands
to acidic podzols and cambisols on higher slopes. Forest cover is about
30% regionally (mostly coniferous spruce and pine in mountains; mixed
deciduous near rivers).
Protected areas and biodiversity are
outstanding. Krkonoše National Park protects unique alpine tundra and
relict arctic-alpine flora. The Adršpach-Teplice Rocks and Broumov
Protected Landscape Area preserve sandstone geomorphology. In Pardubice,
the Železné hory National Geopark, Králický Sněžník National Nature
Reserve, and Lanškroun Ponds Nature Park highlight diverse habitats from
karst features to wetlands. These areas support rare species including
capercaillie, lynx, and numerous endemic plants.
East Bohemia (Východní Čechy), encompassing the modern
Královéhradecký and Pardubický regions, boasts a rich tapestry of local
folklore deeply rooted in its dramatic landscapes: the rugged Krkonoše
(Giant Mountains) to the north, the sandstone "rock cities" of Český ráj
(Bohemian Paradise) and Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, and historic castles and
towns. While many Czech legends (like those of Libuše or the Golem) are
national or Prague-centric, East Bohemian stories often feature mountain
spirits, vengeful undead, and petrified sinners—reflecting the region's
harsh terrain, unpredictable weather, border history, and medieval
chronicles. These tales were collected from the 16th–19th centuries in
local records and popularized in fairy tales, tourism, and cultural
sites.
The most iconic and in-depth legend is that of Krakonoš
(Czech; also Rübezahl in German or Karkonosz/Liczyrzepa in Polish), the
capricious mountain spirit and undisputed lord of the Krkonoše. He
personifies the forces of nature in this highest Czech range (straddling
the Polish border, with Sněžka peak at over 1,600m). Legends date back
to at least 1561 (depicted on a Silesian map as a horned, tailed demon)
and were systematically recorded from 1618 onward, with major
collections by Johannes Praetorius (1662) and later Czech authors like
Marie Kubátová.
Krakonoš (name derived from the mountains; the
mocking German "Rübezahl" means "turnip-counter") is a shape-shifting
woodwose or gnome-prince with an underground realm. He controls
weather—summoning sudden fog, hail, storms, or snow even on clear
days—and tests human character: aiding the humble and poor (teaching
herbal medicine, gifting treasures, or inventing the sour soup kyselo,
symbolized by fog rising from the Kotel mountain "cauldron"), but
mercilessly punishing the greedy, arrogant, or destructive (poachers,
treasure-hunters, or cruel landlords). He appears as a bearded giant in
a cloak with a cane, an old man, woodcutter, monk with a storm harp,
animal, or even a grandmother. Locals once avoided uttering his name
(calling him "Lord of the Mountains" or "Herr Johannes" instead) lest it
provoke wrath.
Key stories illustrate his moody trickster nature:
The Princess and the Turnips: Krakonoš abducts a princess (sometimes
named Emma) to his lair. To entertain her, he transforms turnips into
companions using magic. She tricks him into counting them ("prove your
love by counting every beet"), causing him to lose track repeatedly as
they wilt—allowing her escape on a transformed horse with a prince. This
origin explains his mocking name.
The Boastful Doctor: A herbalist
collects plants and boasts of superior knowledge. Krakonoš (disguised as
a woodcutter) carries his bundle and shares plant wisdom. When the
doctor mocks him with a riddle about acorns vs. oaks and denies the
spirit's existence ("Rübezahl is a boogeyman"), the spirit transforms
into a fiery-eyed giant, smashes the doctor against cliffs, knocks out
an eye, and leaves him for dead—warning against hubris.
The Honest
Shepherd: Krakonoš befriends a shepherd, allowing his flock into
protected mountain gardens. When stray sheep damage the hedges, the
spirit flies into rage, stampeding the flock to near-extinction and
indirectly starving his friend—showing even allies aren't safe from his
temper.
He also paralyzes horses, rolls boulders, or unleashes
hornets on cursers. Over time, he evolved from a feared pagan
storm-demon to a benevolent guardian of nature and the oppressed
(especially in postwar Czech/Polish retellings protecting against
invaders). Today, he's celebrated with wooden/snow statues in towns like
Špindlerův Mlýn, Pec pod Sněžkou, and Jilemnice; fairy-tale books,
operas, and museums; and as a symbol of the Krkonoše National Park.
A distinctly local 16th-century tale from Trutnov (in the Krkonoše
foothills) is that of Stephen Hübner (or Hubener/Šolc/Schultz), the
Vampire of Trutnov. Recorded in the town's chronicle by Simon Hüttel
(1530–1601) and later European collections, it reflects medieval fears
of the undead in a German-speaking border town.
Hübner, a wealthy
farmer, rose suspiciously fast—rumored to have made a pact with the
Devil. He built an extravagant manor on the main square (designed by
architect Orban Hirsch; construction involved no scaffolding and later
collapsed in 1563). It featured endless wine in the cellar and herbal
magic for healing. After breaking his leg during rebuilds, he died in
1567 and received a lavish funeral in hallowed ground. Soon after, he
rose as a vampire, cursed by Satan: wandering the town and suffocating
victims (humans and animals) by crushing them in his arms. Most died;
survivors were terrified. After five months of terror, authorities
exhumed the lifelike corpse, beheaded it at the pillory (blood spurted
as if alive), removed the heart, burned the body, and scattered the
ashes.
The cursed house later became Trutnov's Town Hall (after fires
and remodels). The story endures in local lore and broader Slavic
vampire studies.
The sandstone "rock cities" of Adršpach-Teplice
Rocks (near Krkonoše) and Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise, around Jičín and
Semily) inspire legends of petrification and hidden secrets, tied to
their labyrinthine towers, canyons, and echoey gorges—formed
geologically over millions of years but mythically by divine wrath.
In Adršpach, gods angered by ancient townspeople allowing robbers into
Czech lands bewitched the inhabitants and turned entire settlements (and
people) to stone as eternal punishment and warning. Formations bear folk
names like "Lovers," "Sugar Loaf," "Mayor and Mayoress," evoking
fairies, bandits, and magic; the area was a wartime refuge and Romantic
tourist draw (Goethe visited in 1790).