Kyšperk

Kyšperk is the former, historical name of the town of Letohrad, located in the Ústí nad Orlicí District, in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. The name traces back to a castle that gave rise to the settlement, and today it survives mainly as a historical reference tied to local landmarks and older maps of the area.

Where was the old Kyšperk located?

Letohrad, the place once known as Kyšperk, sits in the Orlické Foothills in eastern Czechia, close to the Polish border. The town has around 6,300 residents and lies on the Tichá Orlice River, one of two rivers bearing the "Orlice" name that meet further downstream in the wider Hradec Králové and Pardubice region. The surrounding landscape is gently hilly, with woodlands and river valleys typical of the foothill zone leading up to the Orlické Mountains.

Where does the name Kyšperk come from?

The name Kyšperk originates from a castle built on the site, which for centuries shaped the identity of the surrounding settlement. Castles of this kind in medieval Bohemia typically served as noble residences and control points over local trade routes and settlement patterns. In the 20th century the town was renamed Letohrad, but Kyšperk remains an important piece of local historical identity and still appears in heritage and tourism contexts.

What should visitors know about the area?

The region around the former Kyšperk — today's Letohrad — is a good example of Czech borderland where history and natural landscape intertwine. The Tichá Orlice River forms the valley axis around which the settlement grew, and the proximity of the Orlické Foothills makes the area appealing to visitors looking for quieter hiking and cycling away from Czechia's busiest attractions. The terrain sits at elevations typical of foothill country, without dramatic changes in altitude.

It's worth noting that Kyšperk today refers mainly to the castle and the historic core of the town rather than to a separate settlement — visitors will find signage and information referring to Letohrad, with mentions of the older name near the historical sites.

How to get to the area of the former Kyšperk?

Letohrad lies in the Ústí nad Orlicí District, well connected to the rest of the Pardubice Region. The district borders Poland, making it a convenient starting point for travelers approaching from the Polish side who plan to explore eastern Czechia and the Orlické Foothills.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kyšperk a separate place from Letohrad? No. Kyšperk is the historical name of today's Letohrad — it doesn't refer to a distinct village or town, but to an earlier name for the same place.

Which river runs through the former Kyšperk? The town lies on the Tichá Orlice River, in the Orlické Foothills region of eastern Czechia.

In which region of the Czech Republic is Kyšperk/Letohrad located? In the Pardubice Region, within the Ústí nad Orlicí District, near the Polish border.

How many people live in Letohrad today? The town has roughly 6,300 inhabitants, making it a small but notable local center in the region.