In the Heart of the Heart of Europe
Located 96 kilometres east of Prague and 66 kilometres northeast of the geographic centre of the Czech lands, Pardubice is a city of both historical and modern significance. Once a seat of nobility and now a hub of industry and commerce, Pardubice has much to offer year-round to visitors with both traditional and contemporary interests. Whether you enjoy sightseeing, attending festivals, or active holidays, you’ll find something here.
Mentioned by name as early as the 1290s, Pardubice received official town status in 1340. In 1491 it was purchased by Vilém II of Pernštejn, one of the most powerful Czech nobles of the era. Under his ownership, the city flourished and gained a grandeur that reflected his high status. The legacy of the Pernštejn family endures in the preserved city centre—designated a protected urban conservation area since the mid-1960s—and in the adjoining château.
The city’s prosperity grew further with the arrival of the first train in 1845, marking the beginning of its rise as a transportation hub. Today, Pardubice remains a key stop for passenger and freight trains across the Czech Republic, making it especially convenient for visitors travelling by rail.
Well prepared for tourism, Pardubice offers a helpful information office near the centre, where visitors can find maps and brochures for self-guided historical walking tours and other activities.
Let’s spend some time there:
Architectural Allure
If you’re drawn to architecture, Pardubice will not disappoint. The city showcases styles ranging from medieval to modern, with Gothic and Baroque blending seamlessly alongside Art Nouveau and Functionalist works. Even the main railway station, considered a masterpiece of Modernist architecture, is listed as a protected historic site.
Other architectural highlights include the Renaissance-style Green Gate tower, which opens onto Pernštýnské Square, where well-preserved Baroque, Classicist, and Renaissance façades surround you. Just north of the square stands the Renaissance château.
Republic Square, adjacent to Pernštýnské Square, highlights 20th-century architecture. Here, the Art Nouveau East Bohemian Theatre stands alongside the Functionalist façades of the Grand Shopping Centre and the Food Technical School.
A great way to explore the centre’s architecture is through two self-guided walking tours available at the tourist information office. The Vilém of Pernštejn Trail leads you through the Old Town and showcases pre-20th-century architecture. The second, Pardubice in the Footsteps of Silver A, highlights 20th-century buildings while focusing on wartime history, particularly Operation Anthropoid—the 1942 attack on Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi overseer of the Czech lands. The Silver A resistance group played a key role in this event.
Horsing Around in the Heartland
If you’re a horse lover, Pardubice deserves a place on your itinerary. The horse on the city’s coat of arms is no mere symbol—it remains central to the city’s identity today.
On the southwest edge of Pardubice, a purpose-built arena hosts numerous international horse-related events from spring through autumn. These culminate in the Velká Pardubická, one of Europe’s most prestigious and demanding steeplechases, held annually since 1874.
Pardubice’s equestrian heritage is so strong that it is a member of Euro Equus, a network of European cities with deep ties to horse breeding and sport. Just outside Pardubice, Kladruby nad Labem and Slatiňany serve as breeding centres for the Old Kladruby horse, a protected Czech breed of coach horse.
A Feel for the Place
There’s more to Pardubice than architecture and horses. Since the late 1940s it has been a university city and remains active in the chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering industries.
The city offers many opportunities for leisure, including a network of cycling and in-line skating trails, a wide range of sports facilities, and a lively dining and nightlife scene. Visitors can also enjoy theatres, cinemas, and cultural events.
Pardubice brands itself as a city of festivals, and the calendar confirms it. Events throughout the year spotlight theatre, music, visual arts, food and drink, folklore, wine, and traditional games. Two major highlights are the Christmas market in December and the well-organized Aviatická Pouť air show in late spring or early summer.
Paying a Visit and Learning More
Pardubice offers accommodation to suit a variety of tastes and budgets, so you’ll have no trouble finding a place to stay. The city itself provides enough attractions to fill a long weekend, and with its strong transport links, day trips to the surrounding region are easy—making it possible to extend your stay to a week or more.
For more information and trip planning, follow these links:
Beyond Prague 