Trutnov
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(33.000 inhabitants, 428 meters above sea-level, river Úpa)

The district town Trutnov is situated in the slopes of Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) in a valley of the river Úpa. Because of its advantegous geographical location the town is a natural centre of the region and has rich cultural traditions. Trutnov, "The gate of Krkonoše" is also a starting point of many marked footpaths in the whole area under Giant Mountains (called Podkrkonoší). Origins of the town are supported by evidence in writing since the year 1260. A legend about its foundation moves its origins to the 11th century, when the legendary knight Trut gained a victorious fight over dragon. The centre of the historical town is Krakonoš's square. lts houses with medieval arcades carry features of late Baroque, Empire and Classicism. The fire in the year 1861 destroyed nearly 300 houses in the inner town. The house No. 38 at Slovanské square from the year 1590 reminds visitors of the Renaissance period. The town gallery with rich exhibition activities and exposition of the sculptural work from Emil Schwantner has been placed in this house after re-adaptation since December 1996. The ancient town hall, rebuilt after fire in 1861, is in a Neo-Gothic style. Among dominants of the square belong Krakonoš 's fountain from the year 1892 and the Baroque column of the Holy Trinity from the year 1704. The Baroque sculptural group of St. John of Nepomuk and sculpture of Holy Family were created by brothers Pacáks. followers of the famous Matthias Braun. Among sacral monuments of Trutnov belong the church of St. VVenceslas in Horní Staré Město, the church of St. Peter and Paul in Poříčí and the Baroque church of Birth of Our Lady from the year 1782 in Trutnov. In the place of the original castle which was rebuilt as a chateau in the "16th century and in adjacency of the church, is the Museum of Podkrkonoší vvith a large exhibition of the battle of Trutnov on 17 th June 1866. On that day the fightingtook place above all at a hillside of Janský vrch, where the chapel of St. John Baptist can be found and at the hill Šibeník, where two years later was built a stately twenty meters big memorial to honour of general Gablenz. On the place of these bloody fightings were established public gardens in the year 1890. Till nowadays, they have been a botanical juwel of the town. An evangelic church was built in this area in 1900. After war the church was not kept in good condition and later was reconstructed as the Concert hall of Bohuslav Martinů. Every year since 1981 a festival of chamber music "Trutnov ´´s autumn " has been taking place in this hall. Cultural life of the town has been significantly influenced by activities of the "House of culture'' which is placed in the National house. The National house was built in the year 1 906 as a centre of the bohemian national inority. Sporting facilities comprise a large area with winter bath, winter and football stadion and tennis courts. Recreation region Dolce with four ponds is an attractive place for tourists from many countries not only in summer, but also in Winter. Nowadays Trutnov is for sure a significait town of the region under Giant Mountains and wants to be an affable home for its inhabitants and welcoming place for all visitors of the town.