Exciting Autumn Adventures in East Bohemia

Old times at Bethlehem

At the Bethlehem Heritage Reserve in Hlinsko, you can explore the homes of craftsmen—these are wooden cabins that showcase the life and work of local artisans from Bethlehem, specifically between the late 19th century and the early 20th century. You’ll be able to visit the workshop and home of a weaver, a toymaker, and a shoemaker. There’s also the home of a sawmill featuring a rare workshop that makes hand-cut files and rasps, as well as the workshop and living space of a metal printer.

From December 10, 2025, to January 10, 2026, an exhibition named Christmas Nativity will take place at Bethlehem. The beautifully decorated houses will recreate the cozy atmosphere of traditional winter customs from the mid-19th century to the late 1940s. During this festive time, you will get a peek into the homes of the original residents, allowing you to imagine how families celebrated Advent in those days. One of the buildings will display Nativity scenes created by folk artists from the museum’s collection, providing a chance to see up close Nativity scenes made of wood, straw, paper, or ceramics. A particularly impressive feature is the mechanical nativity scene crafted by Rudolf Frinta, who created it over 60 years ago in Nové Město nad Metuji.

Taste the traditional jabkance in Česká Třebová

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Česká Třebová will host one of its biggest traditional events—the Apple Fair. This popular gathering will feature the so-called “apple trees“, starting from 8 a.m..

However, it’s important to note that the main ingredient for this local specialty isn’t apples; it’s actually potatoes, which locals refer to as the “apples of the earth“. This delicious dish consists of sweet potato pancakes that are filled with cottage cheese and dusted with sugar. After spending a night peeling, boiling, and mashing the potatoes the traditional Czech way—with a wooden mallet—they are then filled with curd and baked over a stove. This apple fair also coincides with the church feast of St. Catherine, who is the local church’s patron saint. The Rotunda of St. Katherine in Česká Třebová is recognized as one of the oldest landmarks and is the only surviving Romanesque structure in East Bohemia.

Puppets in Chrudim

The exhibition Tonda, Slávka and the Magic Light is currently available at the Museum of Puppetry Cultures and will last until January 11, 2026. This exhibition features puppets and sets from an animated film created by director Filip Pošivac. Step into a magical world filled with childlike wonder and creativity. Additionally, the museum will host a long-term exhibition titled “The Great Lord”, with the subtitle “Who’s pulling the strings?”, which showcases puppets, set designs, and art related to director Radek Beran‘s film. From November 30 to December 23, visitors can also participate in Advent creative workshops. These workshops will be open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..