Pardubice

Pardubice is a city in the Czech Republic with about 93,000 inhabitants, serving as the capital of the Pardubice Region at the confluence of the Elbe and Chrudimka rivers. It is known as a centre of industry, dominated by the chemical, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering sectors, and is also well known for sporting events including the Velka pardubicka cross-country steeplechase, the Golden Helmet of Pardubice motorcycle race, and the Czech Open international chess and board games festival. The Pernstejn family, who ruled the city from 1491 to 1560, were among its most important owners and oversaw its development; its well-preserved historic centre is protected as an urban monument reservation and includes five nationally protected cultural monuments, among them Pardubice Castle and the Pardubice Crematorium.