Pardubice can be explored in different ways through Renaissance art, modern architecture and nature. When planning your visit, it is therefore worth first considering which themes you want to shape your stay: art and city history, a guided look at local traditions, or cycling and nature experiences. The types of visits also vary—from an exhibition to a guided tour.
Modern architecture and Renaissance art
The Automatic Mills are among the finest examples of modern architecture in Pardubice. They were later declared a National Cultural Monument. Those interested in architecture and in how a building is classified as cultural heritage will find a clearly defined focus here. The Knights’ Halls offer a different way to explore cultural history: they are accessible as part of the guided tour “Pernštejnská rezidence – nejstarší renesance v Čechách.” As access is tied to this tour, check the current dates and conditions before visiting.
In the Knights’ Halls, the female nude painting “Fortuna volubilis (Štěstěna vrtkavá)” is part of the rich Renaissance symbolism preserved in the wall paintings. The focus here is therefore not on modern architecture, but on visual art and its connection with Renaissance design. This is a different cultural focus from the architectural significance of the Automatic Mills.
The Vilém of Pernštejn nature trail first leads to the Zelená brána lookout tower. The “Kronika města” exhibition offers another way to explore the city’s history: it can be visited while climbing to the Zelená brána lookout walk. Using audiovisual effects, it presents information about the city’s history. The trail and exhibition thus serve different purposes: one is a route with a named first destination, while the other presents the city’s history through an exhibition.
Regional history and guided tours
The Zámeček Memorial comprises an outdoor memorial area and a museum exhibition. It focuses on events of the Second World War and the resistance movement in the Pardubice region. When choosing visits by theme, you can distinguish this focus from architecture and Renaissance art: here, remembrance and regional history take center stage, presented both outdoors and in an exhibition.
At Perník Janoš, guided tours take visitors through the production facilities, where they learn how traditional gingerbread is made. Reservations may be required for this tour, so check in advance. This offering has a different emphasis from the historical tours: the focus is on making a regional specialty.
The Dostihové závodiště Pardubice racecourse can also be explored as part of a guided tour. The tour includes historical explanations along the entire Velká pardubická course and stops at its best-known obstacles. Tour availability and itinerary may vary, so check the current options before visiting. Unlike a tour of a production facility, this one focuses on the history of the racecourse and its course.
Nature and cycling
The narrow strip of the Nemošická stráň natural monument lies on the southeastern edge of Pardubice. This natural attraction contrasts with the city’s exhibitions, wall paintings and guided tours. If you do not want to plan your stay exclusively around cultural attractions, you can make the natural monument a focus in its own right.
Pardubice is also a starting point for the Elbe Cycle Route. This offers another way to plan your stay by theme: the city’s cultural attractions are complemented by cycling, while Nemošická stráň adds a distinct natural highlight. Together, these offer a range of interests to consider when choosing Pardubice—Renaissance and architecture, regional history, guided thematic visits, or nature and cycling. The attractions vary both in content and in the way they can be visited.
Discover more destinations: Vápno, Urbanice, Lipoltice, Čepí, Litošice, Kasalice, Újezd U Sezemic, Vysoke Chvojno
See the overview of the wider area: Pardubice District.
