Pardubice, the Renaissance town of horses

Pardubice is a small Czech town, whose most famous feature since the 16th century is its horses. This is also reflected in the town’s flag, which has a horse on it. 

The city of Pardubice has a population of just over 90 thousand people, and it is located about 100 kilometers east from Prague. Horses were first used for hunting and everyday life activities, but soon that changed, as horses started to take part in the horse races. Over time those races have become not only country famous but also world-famous. Hence numerous horse races, even nowadays, take place in Pardubice, starting from early spring till autumn. 

The Kladruber horses

If you have any prior knowledge of horses and horse breeds, you might know that the Kladruber horses are some of the oldest breeds in the world. Well, actually, the breeding of the Kladruber horses takes place in a nearby town (about 20 kilometers west) called Kladruby nad Labem. In this small town, you will find the National Stud Farm where the Kladruber Old White horses are bred. While in the farm, you can take a tour of the breeding stables and attend workshops that will give you a glimpse into the world of horse breeding. 

Throughout the year, this breeding farm, in collaboration with the town of Pardubice, organizes numerous large festivals and horse race events. There is a specific day used to commemorate the Day of the Old Kadruber Horse, which takes place every year in May. This year the breed celebrated its 440th anniversary since the foundation of the breed farm.

Pardubice's Renaissance chateau

The town of Pardubice is known for its renaissance look, which you can observe from the town’s main square Perstynske Namesti. You can get a magnificent view of the town center and the nearby Renaissance castle, as you climb up to Zelena brana (Green Gate). Next, I would recommend visiting the Renaissance castle, a national cultural monument, which dates back to the 15th century; it is a real  piece of art. Inside the castle, you can find the Gallery of East Bohemia and the Museum of East Bohemia- which hosts a permanent collection. 

Bohdanec spa town 

After sightseeing and watching some intense horse racing, treat yourself to a nice, relaxing moment at the spa. The Bohdanec spa town is located about 8 kilometers outside of Pardubice, and dates back to 1897! The beauty of this spa is not only its indoor facilities and the relaxation it offers but also the exterior. The outskirts of the spa are surrounded by nature, countryside roads and trails. Next to the spa, you can find the Bohdanec lakes, which are part of the National Nature Reserve. The surroundings of the resort and its abundant nature are a perfect place to go for a walk, a bike ride, or even horseback riding. 

Enjoy Pardubice, the Renaissance town of horses and its beautiful nature surroundings!