- Address: čp., Zámek 2, 530 02 Pardubice, Czech Republic
- Phone: +420 466 799 240
- Website: vcm.cz
- Foundation date: the end of the 13th century
- Architectural styles: late Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque
Not far from the center of Pardubice in Czechia is the national monument of Czech culture - Pardubice Castle (Pardubický zámek).
History
In the distant 13th century, alongside a small village, a Gothic fortress was erected, which was such until the end of the 15th century. In the XVI century, the fortress was rebuilt, turning it into a luxurious castle in the Renaissance style. In those days here was the residence of the influential medieval Czech tribe of Pannstein. The powerful walls of the castle were surrounded by high earthen ramparts and a deep moat with water, which enhanced the defensive capacity of the fortress. Around the castle gradually grew up the city of Pardubice, in which lived the grandees, traders and artisans.
In the XVII-XVIII centuries the Pardubice castle was repeatedly besieged by Swedish, and then Austrian and Prussian troops. As a result of the battles, the fortress was badly damaged, but it was not completely destroyed, and it took 100 years to restore it. Nowadays, several museums , an art gallery and the National Institute of Monuments of the Czech Republic are open in the castle. The surrounding trees are planted today with fruit trees and grapes. In this beautiful park live guinea fowls and peacocks.
What is interesting about Pardubice Castle?
This building is very popular with lovers of medieval architecture. A distinctive feature of it is the unique combination of a comfortable aristocratic residence and an impregnable fortress, which you will not find in all of Eastern Europe. And although the original interiors of the castle are almost not preserved, here you can visit many interesting collections and exhibitions:
- weapons;
- Czech money of 1520-1620;
- glass;
- postcards and stamps of the Czech Republic.
Especially memorable are the interiors of the chivalry halls in Pardubice Castle:
- Mázhaus is the largest of them. On one of its walls is preserved to this day part of the early Renaissance fresco called "Law and Grace." Here you can see unique Gothic-Renaissance portals, whose author is unknown.
- Voitekhovsky Hall - in it you can admire fragments of architectural paintings that surround portals, window niches and columns in the corners of the room. The main picture in the hall is the wall image of Samson and Dalilah, which is the oldest Renaissance fresco in the Czech Republic. Another surviving fresco depicts a nude figure of a woman and is called "Fortune is changeable." In the south-western part of the hall you can see a bay window with a vault decorated in late Gothic. The coat of arms of the Pernshteyn family decorates the Voitekhov hall.
- The Column Hall is known for its magnificent late Gothic caisson ceiling, which has survived to this day. Especially valuable is the painting with floral ornaments. The same ceiling is decorated with one of the halls in the east wing.
Practical information
Pardubice Castle is open for visits every day from 10:00 to 18:00, except for the weekend - Monday. The ticket for an adult costs 60 CZK, which is about $ 3 US, a child ticket is 30 CZK or about $ 1.5, and a family ticket - 120 CZK or $ 5.5.
How to get to the castle?
If you arrived in Pardubice by train, then a distance of 2 km from the station to the castle can be overcome by a local bus or taxi.
And for those who decided to go to Pardubice Castle by car, you must go on the road 324 and follow the signs. After passing the bridge over the Labu River, turn left. After driving on Hradecka Street, after 650 m, turn to Pod Zamkém. Another half a kilometer, and you are at the castle, next to which there is a parking lot.