Rychnov Nad Kneznou: Culture and History

Rychnov nad Kněžnou offers several distinct cultural perspectives: Baroque architecture, Czech painting, the history of toys, Jewish heritage and the literary legacy of Karel Poláček. When planning your stay, you can decide which themes you would like to explore in greater depth. The places and activities range from a guided tour of historic interiors to an educational walk through Poláček’s birthplace.

Castle, Gallery and Architecture

The castle in Rychnov nad Kněžnou is the ancestral seat of the Kolowrat family and is one of the region’s significant Baroque monuments. Its historic interiors are accessible only on a guided tour; tour options may vary by season. Check the schedule before your visit. The main rooms of the Orlická Gallery are on the second floor of Kolowrat Castle. The gallery documents Czech visual art from the transition between the 19th and 20th centuries to the present, with a focus on works connected to the Orlické Mountains and Podorlicko. The permanent exhibition “Malíři Orlických hor” is complemented by “Malíři v Říčkách” from the gallery’s collections; the specific exhibition layout may change.

The Church of the Holy Trinity stands out for its theatrical façade by J. B. Santini. Another dated landmark is the late Renaissance four-sided bell tower in Rychnov nad Kněžnou, which dates from 1604. The castle, church and tower offer different ways to explore architectural forms and historical periods.

Toys and Exhibitions in the Town Hall

The Toy Museum is housed in rooms of the former town hall on the town square. Its exhibition features toys from 1880 to 1980. Children can try out some of the toys on display themselves, including the particularly popular marble runs; this interactive offering may change. The M. D. Rettigová Exhibition is on the first floor of the historic town hall, next to the Toy Museum. Visiting arrangements for both exhibitions may change.

In the Footsteps of Karel Poláček

“RYCHNOVSKÉ ŠLÁPOTY” is an educational walk through Karel Poláček’s birthplace. You can print the route materials or pick them up at the Municipal Information Centre on Staré náměstí. Another way to engage with Poláček’s work is the game based on his book “Bylo nás pět”: participants search for and photograph characters from the book and complete six simple tasks. The game leads to interesting places and corners of Rychnov nad Kněžnou. While the walk focuses on the writer’s birthplace, the game turns its attention to characters and tasks related to the novel.

Jewish Heritage and City History

The Jewish Museum of Podorlicko and the Karel Poláček Memorial document the history of Judaism in Podorlicko and introduce visitors to the life of the writer who came from Rychnov nad Kněžnou. The synagogue also has a long history: the original 17th-century building was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1782.

The Jewish cemetery was established in 1616, together with the memorial hall of the Jewish community. It is located in the “Na Láni” district, from where there is a beautiful view of the Orlické Mountains. Rychnov nad Kněžnou thus offers insight into both the history of a regional community and the memory of individual people and places.

Discover more destinations: Voděrady, Sediviny, Solnice, Kostelecké Horky, Mokré, Semechnice, Trnov, Proruby

For the overview of the wider area: Okres Rychnov Nad Kněžnou.