Litomyšl received town status as early as the mid-13th century, and its importance was strengthened 100 years later by the establishment of the second bishopric in Bohemia. The town is characteristic by its elongated street-square surrounded by rows of burgers’ houses; the most significant one is the Renaissance house “U rytířů” with valuable stone-carving decoration.
The main dominants of the town are the Piarists Church of the Holy Rood from the 18th century and the Renaissance chateau with its sgraffito facade, one of the most valuable in Bohemia.
The town is the birthplace of composer Bedřich Smetana, and every year the opera festival “Smetana's Litomyšl” takes place in the courtyard of the chateau. The town is also home to Portmoneum, a curious little museum dedicated to Czech thinker, artist, writer and philosopher Josef Váchal, who decorated most of the interiors, including furniture. The town also boasts a classical collection of ancient sculptures.
