Hronov

Hronov is a town in Náchod District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 6,100 inhabitants. It is known as the birthplace of writer Alois Jirásek.

Administrative parts
The villages of Malá Čermná, Rokytník, Velký Dřevíč, Žabokrky and Zbečník are administrative parts of Hronov. Malá Čermná forms an exclave of the municipal territory.

Etymology
Hronov was named after its founder Hron of Náchod.

Geography
Hronov is located about 7 km north of Náchod and 38 km northeast of Hradec Králové. The Malá Čermná exclave lies on the border with Poland. Most of the municipal territory lies in the Broumov Highlands, but the southern part with the town proper lies in the Orlické Foothills. The highest point is the Turov hill at 603 m above sea level.

Hronov is situated on the Metuje River. The Hronovka and Regnerka mineral springs are in Hronov.

History
The first written mention of Hronov is from 1359. It was founded during the colonization of this territory between 1241 and 1285. In 1415, Hronov is referred to as a market town. Until 1848, it was part of the Náchod estate. In 1859, it was promoted to a town.

In 1949, the neighbouring municipalities of Velké Poříčí, Zbečník, Velký Dřevíč, Rokytník and Žabokrky were merged with Hronov. In 1960, Malá Čermná joined Hronov. In 1990, Velké Poříčí became a separate municipality.

Transport
Hronov is located on the railway lines Broumov–Starkoč and Hronov–Choceň.

On the border with Poland is the pedestrian border crossing Malá Čermná / Czermna.

Culture
The Jiráskův Hronov festival of amateur theatre takes place here every year. The festival is named after the significant Czech writer and local native Alois Jirásek.

Sights
The main landmark of the town centre is the theatre which bears the name of Alois Jirásek. It was opened in 1930. The birthplace of Jirásek is a house from the 18th century and is a preserved example of folk architecture.

The oldest monument in Hronov is the Church of All Saints. The originally Gothic church was baroque rebuilt in 1713–1717 and 1736. The late Renaissance bell tower was built in 1610.

Notable people

 * Alois Jirásek (1851–1930), writer, author of historical novels and plays
 * Paula Gans (1883–1941), painter
 * Josef Čapek (1887–1945), painter, writer and poet
 * Egon Hostovský (1908–1973), writer, editor and journalist

Twin towns – sister cities
Hronov is twinned with:
 * 🇵🇱 Bielawa, Poland
 * 🇵🇱 Kudowa-Zdrój, Poland
 * 🇵🇱 Nowa Ruda (rural gmina), Poland
 * 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Warrington, England, United Kingdom