Litomyśl is a small, historic town, the history of which dates back to the 10th century. A historic spatial arrangement has been preserved here, and the most important monument is the Renaissance castle, now entered on the UNESCO list.
In the second half of the 10th century, a border town was built in the place where Litomyśl is today. However, the development of the center began a hundred years later, when prince Brzetysław II founded a Benedictine monastery there. The settlement developing near the monastery quickly became an important trade point due to its location on the route connecting Bohemia and Moravia. In the 13th century it was granted city rights, and in the mid-14th century it became the seat of the bishopric.
The medieval urban layout in Litomyśl has survived to our times. Around the market square you can see arcaded houses and colorful facades. Many of them stand on Gothic cellars, but it gained its present appearance during the period of the greatest development of the city in the 16th century.
The most important attraction is the Castle in Litomyśl. It was built in the 16th century by the Pernštejn family. Despite later reconstructions, it has survived to this day in its original Renaissance shape. Its ornament is a sgraffito decoration covering the entire outer walls. Inside, you can see originally decorated and equipped rooms and one of the few remaining complete and still functioning baroque theaters in Europe.
The Czech romantic composer Bedřich Smetana is associated with Litomyśl. One of his first public concerts was held at the castle, and the composer's sculpture can be seen in the city center. An interesting monument of the city is the Portman customs house, Portmoneum, with paintings from the beginning of the 20th century.
