Rtyně v Podkrkonoší


Rtyně v Podkrkonoší is a small town in the Trutnov District, the Czech Republic. The dominating feature is a Roman Catholic church and a wooden bell tower. The very first reference about Rtyně dates back to the 14th century when it used to be one of the biggest agricultural cities in the region. The way of living changed a lot in the 16th century when coal mining in this region started, although the agriculture did not lose its importance.
Peasants used to keep an important position in Rtyně, which was proved by a peasant uprising in 1775. Coal mining as well as the uprising is remembered in the exposition of the town museum.
Nowadays it has about 3,000 inhabitants. There is a primary school, nursery school, library and a gym accessible not only to the primary-school pupils.
The town is host to an annual concert band festival which has been held annually for 50 years, most recently on May 24 and 25, 2014. Bands from throughout the Czech Republic as well as other European countries are invited to attend. The town is also the seat of the Koleta Miner's Band, the oldest municipal band in the Czech Republic and the host band for the annual band festival. On April 5, 2014 the Koleta Miner's Band will perform a special commemorative concert celebrating its 150th anniversary.