Chrudim

Chrudim: historic center and culture

Chrudim combines a historic center shaped by the Middle Ages with distinctive buildings and a puppet theater tradition. The city’s historic preservation zone was designated in 1990 and preserves the medieval layout of the historic center, protected buildings, and old fortifications. This gives your trip a cultural and historical focus that you can explore through specific buildings, exhibitions, and cultural themes.

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is one of Chrudim’s defining landmarks. Its construction history includes Gothic origins, Romanesque foundations, and a Neo-Gothic redesign from the mid-19th century. On Resselovo náměstí, lined with old town houses, stands the richly sculpted Baroque Marian Column of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Mydlář House is a Renaissance building with an arcaded loggia, elaborate sculptural decoration, and an unusual tower reminiscent of a minaret. These buildings reveal different architectural periods and styles.

The Široké schody (Wide Stairs) also reflect the city’s historic layout: they follow the former access route to the Upper Gate in the direction of Kateřinské předměstí. The Upper Gate consisted of a system of four separate gates. The stairs thus add another aspect of Chrudim’s former fortifications to the city’s historic buildings.

Puppetry and museums

The Puppet Museum is housed in Mydlářovský House, considered one of the most important Renaissance monuments in East Bohemia. The museum has around 50,000 exhibits. The permanent exhibition Magical World of Puppets presents puppets used by traveling puppeteers, variety puppets, and family puppet theaters. In the exhibition and its playroom, visitors can also try operating certain types of puppets themselves.

The museum is associated with the international amateur puppet theater festival Loutkářská Chrudim, which has been linked to the city since 1951. Another puppet-themed attraction is the Labyrinth of Chrudim Legends: the children’s trail with activities is located in the former crypt of the Museum of Baroque Sculptures. These offerings have different focuses—from puppets on display and hands-on participation to a themed trail for children.

The Chrudim Regional Museum is housed in a Neo-Renaissance building erected in the city center in 1897–1898. Its exhibition of folk furniture features a dining room furnished to a design by architect Jan Koula from 1900, as well as regionally characteristic painted furniture from the late 19th century. This brings a specific room design and the features of regional furniture together in one exhibition theme.

The exhibition Euphoria of Ornament presents posters by Alfons Mucha in a new visual design created for a calm, individual visit. The presentation may evolve. For anyone interested in Chrudim, it offers another way to explore the city alongside its architecture and puppetry: through poster art.

Events and activities

The Summer Baroque Stage is an event held regularly in Chrudim in mid-August. The program includes Baroque music concerts, a garden party, acrobatic performances, and special guided tours with commentary. The individual programs may vary; if you are planning your trip around this event, check the specific dates and program for your travel dates.

For a sporting activity, Cyklopark Podhůra includes a 1.7-kilometer singletrek through wooded terrain. The loop is one-way and intended for moderately experienced riders. Its length, route layout, and target group can help you decide whether this cycling option suits your plans.

Chrudim’s tourist information center provides information about the city’s history, offers activities including city tours, and has information about train, bus, and local transport departures. If you need specific departure times for your plans, you can ask there about the relevant connections.

When looking for a hotel in Chrudim, you can first choose your focus: historic buildings, puppetry and exhibitions, or a sporting activity such as the singletrek each offer a different way to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Stolany, Vyžice, Bojanov, Premilov, Horní Bradlo, Dolní Bezděkov, Hamry U Hlinska, Skuteč.

For the broader travel overview: Chrudim District.