The town of Chotěboř lies some 515 metres above sea level in the western part of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The countryside here at the foothills of the Iron Mountains is well-known for its healthy environment, perfect for hiking, cycling and other outdoor activities.

The section of the Doubrava River between Chotěboř and the village of Bílek encompasses a beautiful gorge, and the walk along the river makes an excellent day - hike: bring a picnic, or enjoy a beer at the pub in Bílek as you wait for the train to bring you back to Chotěboř.

Situated on the line running from Havlíčkův Brod to Pardubice , Chotěboř has pretty good train connections. Southward, it is only about 25 minutes by train to Havlíčkův Brod, from where express trains run directly to Prague and Brno, and even as far as Berlin, Budapest and Malmö. The rail journey from Chotěboř north to Pardubice is anything but direct, being some two and a half hours with the local service, but this winding journey through the back country of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands is one of the most scenic rail trips in the entire Czech Republic .

If you are in a hurry, however, long-distance buses are the way to go. Chotěboř has direct coach service to Prague (about 90 minutes), as well as to Pardubice , Hradec Králové, České Budějovice, Brno and other cities.

The municipality: Chotěboř currently has about 10,000 citizens, and the town council acts as the municipal authority for 31 communities in the surrounding area - mostly charming small villages dotted along the scenic rolling landscape.

Economy: The source for much of the economic activity is the engineering works, which are focused on machinery and robotic technology for the food industry, especially equipment for dairies and what - else would you expect in Bohemia - breweries. Another key industry is the production of wood furniture, and you may have seen items produced in Chotěboř in your local branch of IKEA. Of course, the town is also home to numerous service industries, construction firms and small businesses. Along with three good-sized supermarkets, there are dozens of small shops throughout the town centre, which is busy and bustling every afternoon.

Social life: For a small country town, Chotěboř is a somewhat surprisingly vigorous community with a wide array of activities for local citizens and visitors alike. The social and cultural institutions include a community centre (kulturní dům), a dance hall (sokolovna), a cinema, and a public library with an information centre. Fine Arts School and the Friends of Music Club present regular concerts and productions, as do other local civic organisations, such as the Doubravan choral group, Benediktus, the amateur dramatic company SCHOD, and youth groups. The town hosts annual music and theatre events, the "Fantasy Festival", a hunters procession, and other celebrations.

Sport: Sports facilities include a sports hall, a summer stadium with a football pitch, a covered winter stadium with an ice hockey rink, a rifle range, a fitness centre, a solarium, tennis courts, volleyball courts, a ski slope with a ski-lift, and even an Aeroklub at the field airport in the nearby village of Dobkov . In the hot summer months, the Břevnická Resevoir becomes the place to cool down with a swim. Football and ice hockey are clearly the favourite local sports, but Chotěboř has also distinguished itself in modern karate, table tennis, volleyball and athletics. The town hosts a number of regular sporting events and contests: best overall athlete competition, aerobics demonstrations, shooting contests, and running races, notably a Terry Fox Run.

Education: Chotěboř has a number of schools. Along with three kindergartens and two elementary schools, the town enjoys three high schools: one vocational, one with an economics focus, and one gymnázium, a university prep school.

Healthcare facilities: The nearest fully equipped hospital is in Havlíčkův Brod, some 15 kilometres away, but Chotěboř does contain plenty of doctors surgeries and three pharmacies.

Accommodation: There is currently only one hotel in town, U Zámku, across the street from the chateau. Other options exist in nearby villages: the Pilnův Estate in Libice nad Doubravou, the hotel Harmonie in Borek, and a bed and breakfast in Jitkov - all conveniently located for hiking the countryside.

Restaurants: Chotěboř has over a dozen restaurants, all with a warm, welcoming atmosphere for locals and tourists alike. Many traditional pubs in Chotěboř and in the surrounding villages serve classic Bohemian fare, perfect after a long walk through the hills, fields, and forests.

Services: The town library has an information centre that can assist visitors. Three banks have branches in the town (with ATMs that work with most international cards), and there are three petrol stations.

                                      translated by Andrew Stroehlein