Orlice

Orlice is a river in eastern Bohemia that flows through the Hradec Králové Region, passing by the town of Třebechovice pod Orebem along the way. It is formed by the confluence of two larger streams, the Divoká Orlice (Wild Orlice) and the Tichá Orlice (Quiet Orlice), which meet near Žďár nad Orlicí and Albrechtice nad Orlicí. From that point, the combined river continues westward across the Třebechovice plateau, passing Třebechovice pod Orebem before eventually reaching the Elbe, of which it is a left-bank tributary.

How long is the Orlice and where does it flow?

Measured from the source of the Divoká Orlice, its main headwater stream, the whole river system reaches roughly 132.2 km, of which about 129 km lies within the Czech Republic — long enough to place it among the country's fourteen longest rivers. The Orlice proper, meaning only the stretch below the confluence of the two Orlice rivers down to its mouth, measures about 32–33 km. Along this lower course the river crosses the Hradec Králové Region and the Třebechovice plateau, passing settlements including Třebechovice pod Orebem, which itself sits at the edge of the Hradec Forest, above the point where the Dědina stream joins the Orlice.

Why is this stretch of the river protected?

The lower Orlice is one of the last major watercourses in the region to retain a largely unregulated character, with a meandering channel, old river arms, and natural floodplain woodland. Because of this landscape and ecological value, the Orlice Natural Park was established in 1996 under the Czech nature and landscape protection act (Act No. 114/1992 Coll.), covering the river valley and its surroundings. Within the park, smaller protected sites safeguard specific features, such as remnants of old, cut-off river branches together with the species-rich meadows that have developed around them — one example being the locality known as Na bahně.

What is there to see along the Orlice near Třebechovice?

The valley landscape in this part of the Hradec Králové Region is dominated by open floodplain meadows interspersed with belts of willows and alders growing along the channel, alongside former river bends that, once cut off from the main current, turned into species-rich wetland pockets. This kind of terrain attracts anglers, walkers, and birdwatchers drawn to habitats tied to water and wet meadows. Třebechovice pod Orebem itself, sitting on the riverbank, is best known for its historic mechanical Bethlehem nativity scene and Baroque architecture, but it is the proximity of the Orlice and its valley that gives the surrounding area a distinctly natural character, setting it apart from the more built-up parts of the Třebechovice plateau.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Orlice, the Divoká Orlice, and the Tichá Orlice? These are three related but separate watercourses. The Divoká Orlice and Tichá Orlice are two distinct rivers originating in different parts of the Czech Republic; they merge near Žďár nad Orlicí and Albrechtice nad Orlicí, and from that confluence onward the combined river is simply called the Orlice.

Where does the Orlice eventually flow into? The Orlice is a left tributary of the Elbe. After crossing the Hradec Králové Region, including the area around Třebechovice pod Orebem, its waters reach one of the Czech Republic's principal rivers.

What does the Orlice Natural Park protect? The park covers the lower, largely unregulated stretch of the river valley, including old river arms, floodplain woodland, and wet meadows, along with smaller protected sites such as the Na bahně locality, which preserves remnants of former river branches.

Can you walk along the river near Třebechovice pod Orebem? The Orlice valley in this area consists of open meadowland and riverside woodland, making it a natural spot for walks and for observing wildlife associated with the river and its floodplain.