PARDUBICE

Pardubice between 14 and 19 century
From the Middle Ages to the railroad – between 14 Pardubice and 19 century

Pardubice is situated in the center of East Bohemia at the confluence of the Labe and Chrudimka. The oldest written record of their existence comes from the late 13 century, the city became sometime around 1340 At that time belonged to the Lords of Pardubice, whose leading figure was Arnost of Pardubice, the first Archbishop of Prague, mentor and friend of the Emperor Charles IV., An eminent European personality of the time.

Two hundred years later, the phrase caught on in Bohemia „as Pardubice adorn“, which was by no means exaggerated. About the end of each day most convincing historical tour of the city, which is his castle, and Podzámčie square surrounded by picturesque streets are unique in the world. There are too many surviving examples of the following skills and abilities of our ancestors.
The medieval heyday of Pardubice is credited with the Lords of Pernštejn. William, a city with the rest of the manor was bought in the late 15th century, rebuilt the castle on the local water late Gothic mansion and his sons John Vojtech and then continued přebudovávání already in the Renaissance style. Today is Pardubice Chateau complex with fortifications one of the few unique transitions between the castle and the castle, which is preserved in the world. William Pernstein also decided to plan a unified style city, which has survived to the present. The historic square Pardubice still are late Gothic and Renaissance houses that complement the organic structures from later periods.
After 1560, Pardubice manor passed into the hands of pernštejnských property of the royal chamber, the importance of Pardubice and fame began to decline, although occasional visits there welcomed and rulers, and the 18th century the town was also a major strength. On the other hand, is often plagued by war and disease and strict guild regulations limited the flourishing business.
The massive fortifications, however, eventually took her for the gradual development of conditional iron track, which was the main designer of Pardubice, Jan Perner citizen. The original route from Pardubice to Olomouc to Prague and from 1845 began to expand soon into other directions and heralded as a significant position Pardubice transport hub, in which she played an important role in a convenient location in the heart of Bohemia.
Shortly after the establishment of railways in Pardubice industry began to develop. Major companies were formed here as „Fanta races“ (today’s Paramo refinery) or „Prokop and sons“ (later factory mill machines), which ushered in the overall development of Pardubice industry, especially engineering and food.

Pardubice in the 20th century
Between dictatorship and democracy – Pardubice in the 20 century

Early 20th century is mainly associated with Pardubice Jan Kaspar, Czech aviation pioneer who in 1911 made the first long-haul flight from Pardubice to Prague. At that time in Pardubice started to develop chemical and electronics industries represented by two large companies – Explosia (now Synthesia) and Telegraphy (later Tesla). After distressful First World War and the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918 strengthened the role as a regional center of Pardubice.
Before World War II lived in Pardubice, 35 000 people, the bravest of them after the Nazi occupation in various ways involved in the resistance movement. Great influence on the local resistance group was primarily Airborne Silver A, whose members – Czechoslovak soldiers posted to the protectorate of England – found in Pardubice and surroundings help and refuge in the preparation of the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. After Heydrich’s death, the Gestapo ignited retaliatory killing machinery when on the edge of town Zámečku commissioned between 3 June and 9 July 1942 executed a number of Czech patriots. Among them the inhabitants of the nearby village of lager, which the Nazis burned to intimidate their opponents. In December 1942, from Pardubice deported to concentration camps, Jews and 563 during 1944, the city experienced three raids Anglo-American Air Force, which bombed the local refinery and the airport. During air raids killed more than two hundred fifty people, destroyed houses were around a thousand. After liberation in May 1945, most people eagerly awaited return to normal life, but the Communist coup in 1948 brought the country just another totalitarian regime.
Hope to return freedom to the next twenty years brought the Prague Spring, soon ended August 1968. That compared with other areas Československa held in Pardubice, without violence and victims, no doubt because the Pardubice region occupied Poland in the first phase, not the Soviet army. Apart from 1968, but Communist era marked Pardubice, like all other places behind the Iron Curtain. Private ownership and private activities have been destroyed, the economy is oriented towards heavy industry, the population was repressive bullied and silenced under threat of imprisonment, persecution, or just losing their jobs. That people found primarily in large manufacturing companies such as TMS or Synthesia, which produced according to the instructions of Moscow. Nevertheless, even in the socialist period in Pardubice industry developed in some way, in Synthesia chemical, mechanical or electronic in the TMS in Tesla represented then support the economy, gave work to thousands of people, and later also became unwitting base for industrial development after the Velvet Revolution.

Pardubice in the early 21st century
The period of gradual development – Pardubice in the early 21st century

Since the end of the communist regime began to change in Pardubice for the better. Although the transformation of the economy after 1989 brought a cessation of some companies (Tesla, TMS) and many other production and significantly reduce the number of employees (Synthesia), the number of unemployed in the city does not increase drastically. This was mainly due to far-sighted policy of the town whose leadership came in early 90th years with the idea to establish a duty-free zone near the airport. The six acres and created a free zone, one in the Czech Republic to the manufacturing and trading companies offering installation, storage and production facilities. To do this just add that in the annual United City Invest 2000, Pardubice, among all the regional capitals of the Republic assessed as most suitable for investment.
Of course, that the development of Pardubice and the neighborhood today is not only dependent on the railways as a hundred years ago. The city also connects with the world of passenger and cargo air transportation, within a reasonable time, perhaps even end up being connected to the motorway network and the game is still up and making the Labe in Pardubice, which would mean to join the European network of waterways.
Pardubice in recent years, flourish. Reconstructed the old castle town and especially that of the dilapidated ruins turned into a beautiful historical monument. The restored buildings in the city and added a number of newly built, in the very heart of the city also counts with the construction of the new square with residential complexes, office and commercial buildings. The earliest settlements began to talk through the reconstruction, which would be transformed into colorful and cozy place to live. Newly edited and municipal parks and woods, created a new playground.
Economic prosperity has brought the city not only mention foreign investors, but also hard work and creativity of local businessmen and entrepreneurs. Long before the official accession of our country into the European Union Pardubice restore the former and build new contacts with many European cities, today these partnerships continue to increase based on close cooperation on various projects.