*A short walk around the town of Litomyšl, with its famous Renaissance chateau – 3 km*
- Litomyšl is mostly known today as the location of one of Central Europe’s largest and most important Renaissance chateaux. The spectacular Italian styled Litomyšl chateau, built in the late 16th century by the aristocratic Pernštejn family, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. However, the whole town is filled with well preserved Baroque and Renaissance buildings and is worth spending a little time exploring on foot.
- A short walk around Litomyšl could begin with a stroll down the length of Smetanovo square (the famous Czech composer Bedřich Smetana was born at the Brewery an ancillary building to the main chateau) which is lined with colorful Baroque and Renaissance period houses.
- The suggested 3 km route then climbs up to the chateau complex, including a tour around the small English park, before returning back to Smetanovo square through the old monastery gardens. There are also at least two important churches to visit on the route. The excellent town website has lots of information on the sites worth visiting.
- The route is entirely paved and can be managed with a stroller. There is only a slight rise to get up to the castle, but otherwise the route is flat. There are several good refreshment spots in the town, including the highly regarded Restaurant Bohém located in the stylish renovated hotel Aplaus and the small café Kafemysl on the Smetanovo square, which serves excellent coffee and cakes.
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Directions
- Starting at the bus station (which also has a large car park) initially follow the GREEN hiking trail towards the centre of town, crossing the Loučná stream
- Take the first narrow alleyway up to reach Smetanovo square. Turn left and walk the length of the square
- At the end of the square, near the statue of Bedřich Smetana, turn right and climb the small hill towards the chateau complex
- Take a circuit around the English garden, on the west side of the chateau before (or after) visiting the chateau
- Return back to the Smetanovo square through the monastery gardens, passing through Šantovo square and then another narrow alleyway
