Podorlicko, the country at the foothills of the Orlické Hory (the Eagle Mountains), at the confluence of the Tichá Orlice and the Třebovka, is where the town of Ústí nad Orlicí is situated. The country around abounds with natural beauty and historical landmarks. The town itself carries many traditions that helped form its face. Ústí's historical centre was registered among national urban treasures in 1991. The town was born in the late l3th century with first written documents dated 1285. Later it was owned by the Convent of Zbraslav, then by the Bishopric of Litomyšl, by the Kostkas of Postupice, by the Pernštejns and finally by the Lichtenštejns since 1622. The centre of administration that had been the nearby Lanšperk castle at first, was moved to Lanškroun in the l6th century. But the natives of Ústí enjoyed a better reputation at that time- one of skilled weavers and good musicians. An important impetus for local growth was the construction and commencement of the OlomoucPrague railway in 1845. The textile industry flourished, which found a reflection in Ústí's nickname "the Bohemian Manchester". Present-day followers of the old tradition are the cotton companies Perla and Rieter Elitex and the Cotton Research Institute. The musical tradition mirrors itself in the popular saying that everyone is a violin player in Ústí. The tradition was formed by musical families and by celebrities like the violin genius Jaroslav Kocián, and has been cultivated down to our days. Highlights of contemporary cultural life include the Kocian Violin Competition and the international Heran Cello Competition, both enjoying high expert ratings. Best local musicians are members of the Brass Band of Ústí nad Orlicí ot of the Jaroslav Kocián Chamber Orchestra. Performing since 1803, the Cecillian Musical Unity is Europe's oldest singing ensemble. Its home and base is the decanal Virgin Mary Assumption Church, itself a dominating sight of the town with perfect acoustics and an excellent baroque organ which has been used for sacral music recordings and during the regular St Cecily Sacral Music Festival each autumn. The town of culture also cultivates a dramatic tradition that has been carried by the Vicena Theatre Ensemble for over a century. The ensemble inspired the remarkable 1936 functionalist theatre building designed by the prominent architect Kamil Roškot that has been enlisted among the town's registered sights recently. The C-Dance ensemble of scenic dancing is one of Czechia's best. Another living tradition is the Christmas crib making -many homes have their own painted cribs made by local folk artists and more are displayed in the town museum. But culture and si~hts are not the only attractions of Ustí nad Orlicí. The town is a good place for recreation. The country around is ideal for walks and biking trips (there is the very spectacular route along the Way of the Cross as far as the lookout tower of Andrlův Chlum and farther along the ruins of thecastles of Lanšperk, Žampach, Potštejn and Litice, etc. Abundant practical facilities can be encountered on the way offering drinks and meals. Sports enthusiasts can select from a number of facilities, eg the large sports area including a football stadium, tennis courts and playgrounds for volleyball and basketball, a sauna, outdoor and indoor swimming-pools, fitness centre, bowling, table tennis, boat rental, and an airport with parachuting courses and observation flights, plus many more options of having a good time.

The 1776 decanal Virgin Mary Assumption Church

The Peace Square with the 1723 built Town Hall

The Peace Square

The Kocián Violin Competition 1996 winner Jan Fišer

Roškot's Theatre of 1936

Detail of one of Ustí's famous Christmas cribs

The Resistance Memorial-the drumming legionary from Josef Mařatka, 1923

The new lookout tower atop the Andrlův Chlum

Henrych's Villa

The 1994 re-inauguration of the chapels along the Way of the Cross