Pardubice Castle

Pardubice Castle stands at the edge of the historic town centre, close to where the Chrudimka river meets the Elbe. It ranks among the most significant monuments in eastern Bohemia — a medieval stronghold that was turned, in the late 15th century, into a grand Renaissance residence for the powerful Pernštejn family.

Who turned the medieval stronghold into a Renaissance palace?

In 1491 the Pardubice estate was bought by William (Vilém) II of Pernštejn, one of the most influential lords at the court of King Vladislaus II. He set out to rebuild the existing fortress into a four-wing residence that could match the lifestyle expected by the aristocracy of the time. Around the palace and its adjoining service courtyard he raised massive fortifications, a defensive system regarded as one of the most accomplished examples of late-Gothic military architecture in Bohemia. His sons, Vojtěch and Jan of Pernštejn, carried the work forward, extending and decorating further wings of the castle.

What is worth seeing inside?

The castle interiors contain some of the oldest surviving Renaissance wall paintings in Bohemia, decorating the so-called Knights' Halls. Two early-Renaissance coffered ceilings are especially prized, along with the stone entrance portal: its carved decoration dates to 1529, and the portal itself was installed in 1541. These details are the reason the castle is often described as one of the earliest expressions of Renaissance art on Czech soil.

What happened to the castle after the Pernštejns?

In 1560 the Pernštejn family sold the Pardubice estate to the king, and it became royal chamber property. Between 1574 and 1579, and again toward the end of the 16th century, further work was carried out by the Italian architect Ulrico Aostalli de Sala. He is credited with the sgraffito decoration on the palace facades and with the main castle tower, which still dominates the building today. Over the following centuries the castle changed hands and functions several times, yet its Renaissance layout and fortifications have largely survived to the present day.

What is housed in the castle today?

The castle is now owned by the Pardubice Region. Its halls house the East Bohemian Museum and the East Bohemian Gallery, which display the region's archaeological, historical and artistic collections. A visit therefore combines a walk through a Renaissance residence with a museum tour, making the castle appealing both to architecture enthusiasts and to anyone interested in regional history.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the castle located? It stands at the edge of Pardubice's historic centre, on the site of a former stronghold that once guarded the crossing of the Chrudimka and Elbe rivers.

Who gave the castle its present Renaissance form? The rebuilding was started by William II of Pernštejn after 1491 and continued by his sons Vojtěch and Jan; later works were commissioned by the crown and carried out by the architect Ulrico Aostalli de Sala.

Can the castle be visited today? Yes — its interiors house the East Bohemian Museum and the East Bohemian Gallery, so visitors can see both the Renaissance rooms and permanent museum exhibitions.

What is the highlight of the interior? The Knights' Halls, featuring some of the oldest surviving Renaissance murals in Bohemia, and the stone entrance portal carved in 1529 and installed in 1541.