Rychnov nad Kněžnou

History of the town

The history of the town, which today has about 12,000 inhabitants, begins in 1258, when one of the documents mentions a list of people who then accompanied Přemysl Otakar II. at a meeting in Austria. The original settlement was not promoted to a town until the end of the 15th century, but it was a town of serfs, which did not reach certain self-government until 1561, when Emperor Ferdinand I granted it the right to elect an auxiliary self-governing body.

During the 17th century, its leading landmark, an early Baroque chateau, was built in Rychnov nad Kněžnou, the construction of which was initiated by František Karel Libštejnský of Kolovrat and later taken over by his son Norbert Leopold. Their family built a family gallery at the chateau in Rychnov nad Kněžnou with works by masters Hans von Aachen or Karel Škréta and others, which has been preserved to this day.

In the second half of the 19th century, a railway was introduced into the city, which caused a large construction. In Rychnov nad Kněžnou, the linen and cloth industry developed significantly.

During the 20th century, the villages of Dlouhá Ves, Jam, Jedliny and others were annexed to Rychnov nad Kněžnou.

Sights and interesting places

The most famous Rychnov monument is the already mentioned Baroque chateau, but outside it is definitely worth mentioning the church of St. Havel with a core from the early Middle Ages. Another important religious monument is the neo-Gothic church of the Holy Trinity, which stands near the local castle. The Baroque-Classicist synagogue from the end of the 18th century is also interesting.

Every year, the Šlitrov Spring event or the Poláček Summer Theater Festival and other regular cultural events take place in Rychnov nad Kněžnou.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová