Choceň

The city Choceň is located about 10 km west of the regional city Ústí nad Orlicí. It lies in the picturesque valley of both banks of the Ticha Orlice. In the near vicinity you can find the nature reserve Peliny, the protected Linden Alley to Hemže and the Svídnická Pine.

History

The first reference to the city dates back to 1227, when the brothers Sezim and Malota inherit the territory. At the beginning of the 14^th century Mikuláš of Potštein received the city and established a castle here, which is later demolished by the troops of Prince Charles. In 1509, Choceň became the property of the Lord of Pernstein and underwent a great period of flourish, which however was suppressed in 1539 by an extensive fire. A new upswing started with Zikmund of Šelmberk, who commissioned a chateau with a grand courtyard in 1562. From 1581, the city was once again in the hands of the Pernsteins. In 1709, Count Norbert Oktavián Kinský took over the estate. In the middle of the 19^th century, a significant economic development began as a result of the construction of the railway route, thereby making Choceň an important railway junction.