Chrudim

Chrudim is a historic town in the Pardubice Region of eastern Bohemia, situated on the Chrudimka River. One of the oldest towns in Bohemia, Chrudim was granted town rights in the 13th century and served as an important administrative and cultural centre for the region. The town is known for its well-preserved town square, several churches, and its association with the traditional Czech puppet theatre — Chrudim is home to the Museum of Puppet Culture and is considered the capital of Czech puppetry.

The town features a remarkably intact historical centre with a large main square, arcaded houses, and numerous churches and chapels. The surrounding landscape is flat to gently rolling, with the Iron Mountains (Železné hory) visible to the south. The climate is continental with warm summers and cold winters. Chrudim has a population of approximately 23,000 and retains a lively, small-city atmosphere.

By Plane

The nearest international airport is Prague (PRG), approximately 120 km away. Pardubice Airport (PED) is about 15 km north.

By Train

Chrudim has a railway station on the line from Pardubice. Trains from Pardubice take approximately 20 minutes, and from Prague about 2 hours with a change in Pardubice.

By Car / Road

Driving from Prague takes approximately 1.5 hours via the D1 motorway. From Pardubice the drive is about 20 minutes. Roads are well-maintained.

The town centre is walkable. Regional buses serve nearby towns and villages. A car is useful for exploring the broader region.

• Chrudim Town Square (Chrudimské náměstí) — one of the largest and most beautiful town squares in Bohemia, surrounded by arcaded burgher houses.

• Museum of Puppet Culture (Muzeum loutkářských kultur) — the only museum of its kind in the Czech Republic, celebrating the town's puppetry heritage. Admission approximately 60 CZK.

• Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary — a Gothic church with a baroque interior.

• Baroque Theatre — one of the best-preserved baroque theatres in the Czech Republic, located at the château.

• Chrudim Château — a Renaissance château housing regional museum collections.

• Exploring the puppet museum — interactive exhibits and demonstrations.

• Walking tours of the old town — the large square and surrounding streets are rich in architecture.

• Visiting the baroque theatre — guided tours available seasonally.

• Cycling — flat terrain along the Chrudimka River and through surrounding countryside.

• Day trips to the Iron Mountains — hiking and nature walks.

Czech cuisine with a range of options from casual pubs to sit-down restaurants. Main courses range from 110–250 CZK.

• Restaurace na náměstí — traditional Czech food on the main square.
• Café and pastry shops — coffee and Czech pastries.
• Local pubs — Czech beer and basic meals.

Czech beer is the staple. Tap water is safe. The town has several pubs and cafés.

• Budget: Guesthouses offer rooms from 400–700 CZK per night.
• Mid-range: Hotel & Restaurant U města Prahy provides rooms from 1,000–1,800 CZK per night.
• Upscale / heritage: Hotel & Restaurant Chrudim offers higher-end accommodation from 2,000–3,000 CZK per night.

Small shops on the town square sell local crafts, ceramics, and puppet-related souvenirs. The weekly market offers regional produce.

• Pardubice (15 km) — regional capital with a château and steeplechase race.
• Litomyšl (30 km) — UNESCO-listed Renaissance château.
• Česká Třebová (30 km) — railway junction town.
• Iron Mountains (Železné hory) (20 km) — hiking and nature.
• Prague (120 km) — the capital city.