Ráby – Castle, Gingerbread and Paths through the Landscape

At the Muzeum perníku in Ráby, the regional bus service from Hradec Králové and Pardubice stops at the “Ráby – Perníková chaloupka” stop directly by the museum. For planning your trip, this is a specific arrival point where a family-friendly experience and further exploration of the landscape come together. The Muzeum perníku includes a fairy-tale forest: There, visitors can playfully relive Jeníček and Mařenka’s journey to the gingerbread cottage.

Gingerbread as an Experience and Craft

The theme is not limited to a fairy tale. At the Perníkářská dílna Ježibaby, you can observe how traditional Old Bohemian gingerbread is made using carved wooden moulds. This creates an outing that allows children to experience a vivid story while adults gain an insight into a traditional craft.

Kunětická hora Castle: History and Tour

Another highlight is Kunětická hora Castle. A tour leads through the historic castle palace and to a lookout tower. The castle also houses an exhibition about the architect Dušan Jurkovič, who played a major role in the castle’s restoration. The building history goes back considerably further: Between 1491 and 1548, the castle was extensively rebuilt under Vilém and his sons Vojtěch and Jan.

Walks, Nature and Protected Habitats

Kunětická hora can also be explored outside the interiors. The castle grounds offer year-round opportunities for walks through orchards and along forest paths around the hill. A green-marked hiking trail to Kunětická hora leads through Ráby. These paths provide a quieter complement to a museum and castle visit, without limiting the stay to a single excursion destination.

The Kunětická hora natural monument also includes special habitats and remarkable biodiversity. Saproxylic insects occur there, especially the hermit beetle. Mammals and birds that depend on old hollow trees also live there. Particularly protected animal and plant species can be found in rocky habitats, dry grasslands and old orchards. For nature enthusiasts, this aspect broadens the view of the hill: The orchards and forest paths are not merely a backdrop for a walk, but part of a protected natural area.

Discover Ráby by Bike

For an active arrival or a cycling excursion, Cycle Route 4124 is relevant. It runs from Pardubice Cihelna via Staré Hradiště, Brozany, Ráby and Kunětická hora towards Opatovice nad Labem. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore weigh up a stay focused on the fairy-tale forest and craftsmanship, a cultural programme at the castle, walks through the landscape or a bike ride along this signposted route.

If you would like to compare Ráby with other destinations, you can also view Ostřetín, Bukovina Nad Labem, Sezemice Nad Loučnou, Újezd U Sezemic, Libišany, Vápno, Svinčany and Valy.

To the higher-level travel overview: Pardubice District.