The beginnings of Litomysl go back to about the end of the 10th century. Under the abbey, called The Mount of Olives, standing in place of the former hill/fort and which today is the Chateau grounds / there arose an elongated settlement that in 1259 was granted a town privilegium. When the Praue Archibischopric was set up, a Bishopric was created in LitomyÜl in 1344, taking over the Premonstratensian Abbey. In 1567 LitomyÜl, together wits its property holdings, was obtained by the Czech chancellor Vratislav of Pernstejn who in 1556, in Antwerp, had been made a Knight of the Golden Fleece. He travelled to European countries, for instance, Spain and Italy. On the Litomysl knoll, Giovanni Battista Aostalli, along with a number of North Italian artists, began to build a Renaissance Chateau, completed in 1582, the year Vratislav died. The Renaissance style then began to influence other buildings in the town. Between 1641 and 1652, a Piarist College, Church and Schools were constructed. A large Piarist Church was built in 1714 - 1722 from desings by Giovanni Battista Alliprandi and Frantisek Maxmilian Karka, along with a new school building - the present day Museum - which also contains a theatre. Fires often caused much damage to Litomysl, especially the big ones of 1775 and 1814, a catastrophic flood 1781 also affacted the town significantly. The houses destroyed by these natural disasters were reconstructed in Late Baroque style and from the beginning of the 19th century in Empire style. In view of the fact that did not lie on the main railway line and that no large industry was started here, Litomysl┤s histrolicar character was long preserved. Important public buildings were constructed in the town, for instance, the grammar school on the Squires┤ Bastions, the Smetana House - a cultural center of the town, the Neo - Renaissance teacher traning school (1906), the sommercial school (1910), the People┤s House (1922) - a meeting place of the Catholic movement and a new grammar school (1923) - a modernly conceived regional vocational school (1929)- today┤s agricultural-technical school. In 1824 was in LitomyÜl also born Bed°ich Smetana, one of the pillars of Czech music. In LitomyÜl had been meeting of seven midleeuropean presidents in 1994 year and in 1995 year LitomyÜl visited spenish king Juan Carlos with his wife.


Most important data

981	Kosmas mentions Litomysl as a fortress.
1259	Premysl Otakar II. Promoted the settlement below the castle to a town.
1344	Pope Kliment VI established a bishopric in Litomysl.
1436	Hussite leader Vilem Kostka of Postupice gained Litomysl in records for his house. Under the reign of Kostkas Litomysl became one of the places of the Brothers┤ Unity.
1567	Vratislav of Pernstejn, called the Beautiful, the top chancellor of the Czech Kingdom becomes the Lord of Litomysl.
1640	Frebonie of Pernstejn called the piaristic order to Litomysl.
1965	Litomysl announced a historical monument.
1994	Litomysl was visited by seven Central-European presidents.