Founded in 1359, Hronov has been the birthplace of three outstanding Czech artists so far: Alois Jirásek, author of historical novels and playwright (1851- 1930); Josef Čapek, painter and writer (1887-1945); and Egon Hostovský, the internationally renowned author (1908-1973). The town of 7,000 lies at an altitude of 364 m in the Metuje river valley. The central square's most important building is the Jirásek Theatre (built in 1930), a scene of Europe's oldest annual Amateur Theatre Festival known as "Jirásek's Hronov" (since 1931). Other sights beside the theatre are the baroque All Saints' Church, the Virgin Mary sculptural group in the square (1725), the house in which Alois Jirásek was born (built in the late l8th century), and the former free estate where an old water fortress had been in the l3th century. Mineral water springs spout of the ground in Jirásek Park. Educational institutions include a full-scale elementary school and several craft training facilities for future mechanical, electrical and car engineers, a training centre and the High School of Travel, the Language Lyceum and the Family School. Two industrial companies are based at Hronov-the ČKD Engineering and Foundry, and the textile factory of Textonnia Czech, s.r.o. Hronov is a good base for hiking trips to the forest-clad countryside around-to the hills of Jestřebí Hory, or to Bor and the Polish border in the opposite direction. Both the Orlické Hory and the Giant Mountains (the Krkonoše) are within easy access from Hronov, you can have a nice walk to the well at Maternice or to the villages around with many inviting, amiable pubs. Facilities for accommodation and boarding are many and varied at Hronov.

The well at Maternice

Southern view of Hronov