Archaeological artifacts testify to very old settlers who had inhabited north- eastern Bohemia along the stripe of the Orlické Hory mountains (with Velká Deštná, 1,114 m, the highest peak.) Permanent settlements establishing themselves during the lOth and llth centuries along the paths and rivers in the region. Placed in a well-protected, forest-clad valley, Rychnov (Richenau, Riche Aue) was one of them. The oldest known historical records of 1258 say that a certain Heřman of Drnholec owned the castle with vast forests and fields around. Beside forestry and farming, local people earned their living from cattle breeding, petty crafts and trade which formed the town's face and channelised its development. The strongest trade were the drapers who managed to keep supplying all major markets in Central Europe (Meiseen, Poznan, Vienna, etc.) for several centuries. Soldiers of several armies wore uniforms made of their cloths. But the traditional manufacturing was killed by the drive of machinery at the break of the l9th and 20th centuries. Rychnov nad Kněžnou was granted the coat-of-arms and town status in 1488. Religious turbulence that came on the scene at the break of the modern era generated a rapid succession of owners. The Lords of Rychnov were briefly succeeded by the Pernštejns, the Trčkas of Lípa and by the Betengels. The region was the cradle of a religious movement called the Moravian Brethren and of their spiritual fruits (hymn books and works of Jiří Rychnovský.) It also boasts of many Renaissance works of art (architecture, the Christopher Bell, Betengel's epitaph, etc.) The lost resistance of the Czech nobility against Emperor Ferdinand II swept the town's owner and several dozens of citizens who emigrated to evade the aggressive restoration of Catholicism. The Kolowrat family of Cracow and Libštejn acquired the demesne in 1640. They added to the town an ostentatious, late-Renaissance château, now showing some baroque modifications, and a number of other sights. The Kolowrats filled the château with outstanding works of European art-Rubens, Pittoni, Holbein-and of Czech artists-Škréta, Rychnov's native J. Antonín Vocásek, and others. Valuable baroque sculptures are scattered in and around the town. The 1714 piarist Latin Grammar School opened the opportunity to acquire better education locally. Several famous names are found on the school's historical student lists: František Martin Pelcl, Prague University's first professor of Czech language and literature; Otmar Vaňorský, translator of Greek classical literature; composer Anatol Provazník; Vratislav Vycpálek; painter Josef Štolovský; Karel Poláček, author of humorist novels. Last but not least, the graduate list would not be complete without Jiří Šlitr, beloved composer of popular music and lawyer. Traditional crafts yielded as industries came up at the beginning of the 20th century-the textile industry; lock production (FAB); and building. Luckily, these activities did not affect the countryside which remained agricultural and silvan. Following the secession of Slovakia, social situation of local people has improved, like the housing standards and the overall standard of living. The town of 12,000 has got a modern shopping network and a truly European hotel eventually. Guesthouses in and wide around Rychnov offer good accommodation. The Kolowrat Mansion houses the exhibitions of the Museum of the Orlické Hory and the regional Orlická Galerie. Rychnov is the scene of regular film events: the "Rychnov Eight" is an international amateur film and video competition and "Film Laughter" is a seminar for Czech lecturers and film club members. Then there is the unique annual festival which presents a profile of one film comedy actor or author each year. Early July is the time for "Poláček'S Summer", the festival of non-traditional theatre performances at various untypical places across the town, while Chorus Camera is the opportunity to listen to choruses from across Europe and the overseas. Picturesque natural scenery, bonanza of cultural tradition and historical sights, a handful of châteaus-like Častolovice, Dou- dleby nad Orlicí, Opočno-the romantic ruin of the Potštejn Castle, the museum of laces and lace-making at nearby Vamberk, hiking paths through the Orlické Hory and many more features certainly make Rychnov an important centre of culture and recreation.

Overall view of Rychnov

Interior of the Most Holy Trinity Church

Christopher, Bohemia's third largest bell

Interior of the restored synagogue

The Kolowrat Mansion