| Česká Skalice | |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Hradec Králové |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Náchod |
| Pushpin Map: | Czech Republic |
| Pushpin Relief: | 1 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in the Czech Republic |
| Coordinates: | 50.3939°N 16.0486°W |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Zuzana Jungwirthová |
| Established Title: | First mentioned |
| Established Date: | 1238 |
| Area Total Km2: | 17.36 |
| Elevation M: | 284 |
| Population As Of: | 2024-01-01 |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Population Total: | 5122 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone1: | CET |
| Utc Offset1: | +1 |
| Timezone1 Dst: | CEST |
| Utc Offset1 Dst: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 552 03 |
Česká Skalice (in Czech pronounced as /ˈtʃɛskaː ˈskalɪtsɛ/; German: Böhmisch Skalitz) is a town in Náchod District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 5,100 inhabitants. It lies on the shore of Rozkoš Reservoir. The town is known for the Ratibořice Castle and Grandmother's Valley, both associated with the work of one of the most important Czech women writers, Božena Němcová.
The town parts and villages of Malá Skalice, Ratibořice, Spyta, Zájezd and Zlíč are administrative parts of Česká Skalice.
Česká Skalice is located about 8km (05miles) west of Náchod and 24km (15miles) northeast of Hradec Králové. It lies in the Orlice Table. The town is situated on the Úpa River. The Grandmother's Valley (Babiččino údolí) along the river is protected as a national nature monument. Part of Rozkoš Reservoir, on whose shores the town is located, lies in the municipal territory.
In Chronica Boemorum is mentioned a trade route from Bohemia to Poland through this area in the 11th century. In the early 13th century, two settlement with fortresses were founded near this route and named Malá Skalice and Velká Skalice. In 1490, they are first referred to as one village named Česká Skalice. In 1504, Česká Skalice was promoted to a market town and in 1575, it was promoted to a town.[2]
In the 19th century, the town was industrialized and textile factories were established.[2]
The I/33 road from Hradec Králové to Náchod (part of the European route E67) passes next to the town.
Česká Skalice is located on the railway lines–Prague–Trutnov and Pardubice–Svoboda nad Úpou.[3]
The Ratibořice Castle and Grandmother's Valley is the most popular tourist destination. It is visited for its connection with life and work of Božena Němcová, who belongs among the most impactful Czech writers. The castle was built in the Baroque style and rebuilt in the Neoclassical style. Next to the castle is a castle park. Part of the landscape with a direct link to Němcová's literature is also a remote mill and Staré bělidlo, a romantic wooden log cabin. The area of the castle and valley is protected as a national cultural monument.[4]
Among the landmarks of Česká Skalice is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, located in Malá Skalice. It is a Baroque building from the 18th century.[5]
In Malá Skalice is Museum of Božena Němcová. Until 2017, there was Textile Museum as well, but it was closed and the exposition was moved to nearby Dvůr Králové nad Labem.[6]
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic. Česká Skalice is twinned with:[7]
Bardo, Poland
Liptovský Hrádok, Slovakia Polanica-Zdrój, Poland