LITOMYSL
In the small town of Litomyl, the aristocratic family of Perntejn
had a mediaeval castle remodeled into a Renaissance chateau the second half
of the 16th century. The chateau is an exceptional example of an original Italian
arcaded structure which was adapted for the Czech environment. It is a fine
illustration of an aristocratic residence built during mediaeval Renaissance,
with later developments under the influence of new styles. The town of Litomyl
is also the birthplace of the great Czech composer Bedøich Smetana; an
annual music festival (Smetanas Litomyl) bears his name.
The town and chateau are located some 50 km southeast of Hradec Králové
on the main road to Svitavy and Brno.