Litomyšl is an ancient town that flourished under the reign of the Emperor Charles IV. The Augustinian monastery with the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was founded here in 1356 and has survived up to the present day. One of its founders was the bishop Johannes Noviforensis, a close advisor to the Emperor. He maintained intense correspondence with important European personalities, such as the Italian humanist Petrarch. In the 16th century, a unique Renaissance chateau, which has been included in the UNESCO list of world heritage, was constructed at the site of the bishop’s residence by the renowned Italian architect Giovanni Battista Aostalli. In the town of Litomyšl, a favourite destination of tourists from all around the World, you may admire imposing ancient houses as well as contemporary architecture.

The Smetanova Litomyšl open-air International Opera Festival, named after the world-famous composer Bedřich Smetana and held in his hometown is certainly a unique experience for lovers of music. You may also visit other sights near Litomyšl, such as the Gothic Svojanov castle near the town of Polička, which Charles IV included among “inalienable castles” and purportedly paid several visits to. You can stay in the original castle boarding house and make trips to other historical towns and the countryside of the Pardubice region.

Another personality associated with East Bohemia and the Pardubice region is the nobleman Ernest of Pardubice, the first archbishop of Prague, who conducted the coronation of Charles IV.