History - Litomyšl

The town was founded in the 11th century in the area of the former walled settlement on the important trade path, which connected Bohemia and Moravia on so called Trstenice Road. In the half of the 12th century the Bishop of Olomouc brought here the church order of premonstrates. The temple they lived in became an important centre of the region. Under the temple there was built the settlement Louční. In the year 1259 this settlement was awarded by municipal privileges by the king Přemysl Otakar II and Litomyšl became the vassal town. Due to natural catastrophes and wars and based on consequent vast repairs and reconstructions the town obtained the Empire style character (1st half of the 19th century). After dramatic situations round the revolutionary year 1848 Litomyšl was a very indebted town. It was bought in the auction by the Thurn-Taxis family. This manor became the administrative centre of the new region in the course of their rule. During the World War I there was demolished local Jewish community. In 1949 there was held the first year of the opera festival Smetana’s Litomyšl in the chateau complex. This festival has been organized with small interruptions up to now. The chateau complex was added to the list of the UNESCO world heritage in 1999. Nowadays Litomyšl still keeps its so called small-town character.

Culture - Litomyšl

Litomyšl is the town where you can experience culture at any step. In the town and its surroundings there are many facilities at disposal, where you can satisfy you cultural needs – museums, galleries, music clubs, the folk house, cinemas and theatres with the rich cultural program. In the Smetana’s House there are organized many music activities all year long. The international opera festival Smetana’s Litomyšl is, after the Prague Spring, the second oldest music festival in the Czech Republic. This festival is organized each year on the verge of June/July straight in the place of Bedřich Smetana’s birthplace in the Chateau of Litomyšl.

Sport - Litomyšl

The town of Litomyšl provides many sports facilities for the active form of rest. Except others they are indoor winter stadium, municipal swimming pool, fit centre, gymnasiums. In addition the town and its surroundings provide possibility for cycling and tourism.

Tours - Litomyšl

Visiting the town of Litomyšl you shouldn’t miss interesting sightseeing and natural places of interest situated in the environment of the town. Our hot tips are Toulcovy Maštale (protected natural monument), castles Košumberk and Nové Hrady, memorial Růžový palouček, natural reserve Nedošínský háj, village of Kozlov and hill with the observation tower above the town - Andrlův Chlum.