Border region of Broumov is still struggling with an outflow of inhabitants
Broumovsko, surrounded on three sides by Poland in the northern part of the Hradec Králové Region, has turned into a popular tourist destination not only for Czechs but also for Poles since the Czech Republic joined the EU 20 years ago. The accessibility of the region from the Czech hinterland has also improved, according to the statements of the regional government and local government representatives. The Broumov region, on the other hand, is struggling with a shortage of some doctors, especially paediatricians and dentists, and the outflow of inhabitants has not been stopped. European subsidies for various projects in the Broumov region since 2004 have amounted to more than CZK 1 billion, according to the regional administration.
"Over the last 14 years, the town has lost around 800 inhabitants, which is about eight per cent. Mostly young people are leaving, Broumov is getting older. Although we are trying to develop the town and use subsidies, it is still not attractive enough for young people. When someone comes to visit after a longer period of time, they are excited about how the town has changed for the better. Many locals do not see it that way," said Mayor Arnold Vodochodský (Broumovská vlna).
He said the town has a good business base, with the biggest employer still being the Veba textile factory, which employs hundreds of people. "However, we are not able to attract new investors. They are encountering unskilled labour here. We have the highest unemployment rate in the region, around six percent," Vodochodský said.
These negative phenomena have not been reversed even by one of the most significant investments in the region's transport infrastructure, the CZK 89 million expansion of a key road over the Pasa mountain pass on the route from Náchod to Broumov more than a decade ago. "We expect further improvements in transport accessibility from the completion of the D11 motorway to the Polish border in nearby Královec and also the new bypass of Náchod. Náchod is the gateway to the Broumnov region and the traffic flow through Náchod is poor. The journey to Hradec Kralove could be reduced from an hour to 45 minutes and, more importantly, it will be more predictable. Today we have to plan at least half an hour in advance. Better transport connections could help to make the region more attractive," Vodochodský said.
In the 2014 to 2020 programming period alone, CZK 242.6 million went to improve transport accessibility in the Broumov region and the neighbouring Polish region of Kladsko-Walbrzych. "The accession to the EU has clearly been beneficial for the Broumov region, but there is still room for improvement. The state could do more for our region. I would welcome the removal of other barriers to cross-border contact, for example, legislation to make medical care available to our residents in neighbouring Poland. We are closer to Poland than to the larger cities in the region," said Vodochodský.
An example of European support for monuments in the region is the extensive reconstruction of the Broumov monastery, which cost almost a quarter of a billion crowns. The Benedictine monastery in Broumov was opened to the public in spring 2015 after reconstruction. Together with the rock towns near Teplice nad Metují and Adršpach, it has become one of the main pillars of tourism in the region. The monastery has also made a significant contribution to the development of cultural life in the Broumov region.
"Thanks to the open borders, tourism has intensified and the region's transport accessibility has improved over the last 20 years. For example, it used to take us about four hours to get to Prague, but now it takes about two hours thanks to the motorway that ends just outside Jaroměř," said Věra Prokopová, Deputy Mayor of Teplice nad Metují (Change for the City).
The Adršpach-Teplice rocks attract hundreds of thousands of tourists a year, most of them from Poland. Most of the visitors come to the rocks by car. Thus, the town of Adršpach had to change the parking system at the entrance to the rocks to alleviate traffic congestion in the area.
"The Broumov region is one of the border regions of the Hradec Králové Region where the development and increase in the standard of living of the inhabitants since the Czech Republic joined the EU is most noticeable. This is particularly evident in the improved transport accessibility of this relatively remote region and in the development of tourism. Last year, Broumov was put on the imaginary map of European culture when, with the support of the region, it sought the title of European Capital of Culture (ECC) 2028, which is granted annually by the European Union. Although it failed, it allowed Broumov to become more visible and to present its cultural life and development to Europe," said the governor Martin Červíček (ODS).
In October 2022, an international jury selected Broumov, together with České Budějovice, for the final round of the 2028 ECoC competition. Broumov succeeded with its Creative Pilgrimage concept, which is based on linking wild nature, resilient culture and trust in Europe's vibrant communities. The title was eventually won by rival České Budějovice. The town's management and local associations and organisations have decided to further develop activities to make Broumov an attractive region.
European subsidies for various projects in the Broumov region from the Czech-Polish cross-border Interreg programmes since the Czech Republic joined the EU amounted to 40.28 million euros (about one billion CZK). The development of the Broumov region in the last 20 years has also received subsidies from other European programmes and funds, said the representatives of the regional administration.
Source: CTK
Photo: Google maps
