Chrudim

Sister cities

• Svidník
• Oleśnica

History

The oldest archaeological findings which provide first signs of the settlement in this area date back to the 5th millennium BC. Various cultures succeeded one on another in the territory of today's town of Chrudim and its vicinity. Since the 7th–8th century, the area is inhabited by Slavs. The first written mention of Chrudim is from 1055, when Duke Bretislav I died here according to Chronica Boemorum. The royal town of Chrudim was founded in 1276 by King Ottokar II for its location on a route from Prague to Moravia. From 1307, it became a dowry town, administered by Bohemian queens. Until 1918, the town was part of Austria-Hungary, head of the Chrudim District, one of the 94 Bezirkshauptmannschaften in Bohemia.

Geography

Chrudim is located about south of Pardubice. It lies mostly in the Svitavy Uplands. The highest point is the hill Podhůra at above sea level. This hill is situated in the southern tip of the municipal territory, which extends into the Iron Mountains and the eponymous protected landscape area. The Chrudimka River flows through the town.