Broumov

A historic border town dominated by a stunning Baroque monastery and featuring a beautiful arcaded town square reflecting Czech-Prussian architectural influences. The nearby Broumov Walls wilderness areas offer excellent hiking opportunities.

Things to do

• Broumov Monastery — Explore this magnificent Baroque Benedictine monastery dominated by its striking twin-towered church, featuring ornate interiors and a working monastic community.
• Town Square (Náměstí) — Wander the beautifully preserved arcaded square with Renaissance and Baroque architecture reflecting centuries of Czech-Prussian cultural exchange.
• Broumov Walls Hiking Trails — Trek through the dramatic sandstone rock formations and pine forests of the Broumovské Stěny protected landscape area with marked trails of varying difficulty.
• Town Museum — Visit the local museum documenting Broumov's medieval history, monastic heritage, and its position as a strategic border settlement.
• St. Adalbert Church — See this historic Gothic church in the town center, substantially rebuilt after WWII damage but retaining medieval architectural elements.
• Nearby Cismonastic Caves — Explore natural sandstone caves and rock shelters in the surrounding Walls region, some accessible via short woodland walks from town.

Food to try

• Monastic Dark Bread — Sample traditional dark rye bread still baked using centuries-old recipes at the Broumov Monastery bakery, available in the monastery shop.
• Trout from Nearby Streams — Try locally-caught freshwater trout prepared simply grilled or pan-fried at regional restaurants, sourced from the Stěnava and other mountain streams.
• Czech Potato Soup (Bramborová Polévka) — Order this hearty regional favorite made with local potatoes, mushrooms, and marjoram, often served as a starter in Broumov's traditional restaurants.
• Benedictine Herbal Liqueurs — Purchase distinctive herbal digestifs and liqueurs produced by the monastery using traditional monastic recipes and local herbs from the Walls region.
• Wild Mushroom Dishes — Enjoy seasonal preparations featuring porcini, chanterelles, and other wild mushrooms foraged from the surrounding forest, served in creamy sauces.

Local customs & good to know

• Border Town Etiquette — Broumov's German-speaking minority and proximity to Poland means you'll encounter multilingual locals; learning a few Czech greetings shows respect for the dominant culture.
• Monastery Visiting Hours — The monastery remains an active Benedictine community, so visits to the church are generally welcome during designated hours but photography may be restricted in certain areas.
• Seasonal Hiking Preparation — The Broumov Walls sandstone terrain can be slippery in wet conditions and trails are most crowded in summer weekends; visit in spring or autumn for better conditions and solitude.
• Regional Historical Sensitivities — As a border region with complex German-Czech history and WWII damage, locals appreciate visitors who show genuine interest in learning about the town's layered past rather than surface tourism.

Nearby

• Adršpach-Teplice Rocks — 5 km
• Náchod — 11 km
• Trutnov — 28 km
• Hradec Králové — 37 km