Letohrad: History, Nature and Special Discoveries

Letohrad: History, Nature and Special Discoveries

Letohrad is a destination for travelers who want to combine historic townscapes, unusual collections, and experiences in nature in a single trip. The main attractions are a heritage zone and the castle garden; a themed nature trail also begins on the northern outskirts of the town. You can therefore choose between culture, a garden visit, and a themed exploration of forests, wildlife, and water management.

Historic Center and Crafts

The Letohrad urban heritage zone dates back to the early 16th century and includes an elongated rectangular square with preserved arcades. The heritage zone includes the Baroque Church of Saint Wenceslas, with unique stucco decoration in its interior. On Kopeček stands the pentagonal Baroque pilgrimage chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk, built in 1734. Its architecture recalls the Church of Saint John of Nepomuk on Zelená hora in Žďár nad Sázavou; at the same time, the chapel remains an active pilgrimage site.

The listed Nový dvůr complex, dating from 1750, houses the Museum of Crafts. It contains 89 interconnected exhibitions on crafts and trades from the period between 1840 and 1930. In addition to sacred and urban architecture, Letohrad therefore offers a tangible insight into historical working life.

Castle Garden with Animals and Interactive Discoveries

In Letohrad Castle Garden, the restored orangery houses a permanent exhibition of Australian parrots. There is also a saltwater aquarium with colorful corals and fish. The educational garden adds interactive elements to this area. Visitors can try out the different sounds of various types of wood on a dendrophone.

Bažantnice–Obora Nature Trail

The Bažantnice–Obora nature trail begins on the northern edge of Letohrad at the entrance to the Letohradská bažantnice natural monument. It is marked, moderately difficult, and has eight stops. Its themes include the history and present-day practice of forest management, historical connections, the area's natural features, local flora and fauna, hunting, local legends, and water management. The starting point is accessible in Letohrad by bus and train. If you would like to combine culture and nature during your stay, you can consider Letohrad as a starting point for this nature trail.

Rare Nature and Wildlife

Letohrad is one of only two natural sites in the Czech Republic where the strictly protected Kandík psí zub is found, and it is also the species' northernmost site in the Czech Republic. At Tvrz Orlice, the “Magical Forest – Fauna of the Czech Republic” experience includes stuffed animals, a natural area, and information about wildlife.

For families with diverse interests, the combination of town history, flora and fauna, and interactive discoveries provides a practical point of reference. You can choose between indoor and outdoor areas without limiting your stay to a single theme. Letohrad can therefore be considered as a place to stay if culture and nature are equally important in your plans.

More Places for Your Travel Planning

If you would like to expand your search to other places, you can also visit Vyprachtice, Třebovice, Sudslava, Zádolí, Horní Hermanice V Cechách, Kosořín, Zbudov and Šedivec.

To the higher-level travel overview: Okres Ústí Nad Orlicí.