ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA	CZECH REPUBLIC
Pardubický kraj	Pardubice region
Okres: Chrudim

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Chrast is situated at an elevation of 285 m in that part of the Českomoravská vrchovina (Bohemian-Moravian Highlands) region that is located in the administrative region Pardubický kraj, about 22 km southeasst of Pardubice and about km southeast of the district town Chrudim. The municipality has a population of about 3,100 (2019) and also comprises the villages of Chacholice, Podlažice and Skála.

Chrast was founded in the second half of the 13th century by the Benedictine monastery of Podlažice (today part of Chrast). During the Hussite Wars of the early 15 century the monastery was destroyed and Chrast was conquered by the Hussites. In the mid-15th century it came in possession of the Bohemian Crown and was pawned successively to several owners. In 1664 it was acquired by the archbishop of Prague who transferred it to the newly founded diocese of Königgrätz (Hradec Králové) for its financial support. After the end of patrimonialism Chrast became an independent municipality in 1850 and in 1853 obtained the status of a town.

The Baroque church of the Holy Trinity [left, no. 3874: centre] was built in 1710–1718 in place of an older church. Although not documented, it is assumed that the architect was Jan Blažej (Giovanni) Santini-Aichel, famous for his unique style of 'Baroque Gothic'. The church is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Chrast castle [left, no. 3874: background] was built originally in the second half of the 16th century in Renaissance style. In the first half of the 18th century it was rebuilt into a Baroque four-winged summer residence for the bishops of Hradec Králové. In 1950 the castle was nationalised by the Communist government. Since 1958 it is under monumental protection.

[https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrast; https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kostel_Nejsv%C4%9Bt%C4%9Bj%C5%A1%C3%AD_Trojice_(Chrast), https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Bla%C5%BEej_Santini-Aichel]