Introduction to Pardubice

Pardubice is a town in east Bohemia, about 100 km east of Prague, with a population of about 90 000. The town lies on the main railway artery linking Prague with Warsaw, northern Slovakia, Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna. There is a strong tradition of chemical industries: explosives, petroleum refining, brewing and distilling.

Nowadays, with its modern industrial zone, its university and its good infrastructure, Pardubice is an attractive place to locate new industries and service companies. The opening in spring 2007 of the extension of the motorway running east from Prague has considerably improved the road links between Pardubice and the capital city. Pardubice airport is not yet fully used, but has the potential for expanded passenger and cargo transport.

The quality of life in Pardubice is enhanced by good educational opportunities, including the university, with its faculties of Transport, Economics & Administration, Arts & Philosophy, Chemical Engineering, and Restoration, and its institutes of Health Studies and Electrical Engineering & Informatics. Young musicians study at the Pardubice Conservatory.

Other facilities include the East Bohemia theatre and an Olympic-size swimming pool. The Old Town and castle area is very attractive, and often plays host to festivals and wedding celebrations. There is good countryside all round Pardubice, but the town itself, apart from the Old Town, is mainly drab and industrial.

Pardubice is known as a sports town. The ice-hockey team, Eaton Pardubice, is the best-supported team in the Czech Hockey League. It is normally one of the better teams in this strong and competititve league, and won the play-offs in 2010. The hockey stadium, right in the town centre, is often sold out (9 300 seats).

The Velka Pardubice Cross-Country Steeplechase, held on the second Sunday in October, is the oldest and most famous cross-country steeplechase in continental Europe.

Pardubice is also a speedway town, hosting the famous Gold Helmet meeting every year at the end of September/ beginning of October.

Pardubice's football team has not been in the top league for decades.

http://www.hcpce.cz/ Eaton Pardubice hockey club website, in Czech

Golden Helmet, Speedway, in Czech

You can find much more information about Pardubice in the Town of Pardubice website, in English.

Pardubice is also the administrative centre for the Pardubice Region, which stretches east and north from the town, and includes beautiful countryside and mountain resorts. The Pardubice Region web site, in English, offers further information.

Pardubice region website