The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

The highest point is a contour line on the slopes of the Dvorský les Mountain at 965 m (3,166 ft) above sea level.

It was founded around 1250 by the Švábenský of Švábenice noble family and originally named Úpa after the eponymous river.

The largest employers based in the town are Vitesco Technologies Czech Republic and Tyco Electronics EC Trutnov, both manufacturers of electrical equipment for automotive industry with more than 1,000 employees.

The historic core comprises the area of Vnitřní Město part of Trutnov, with Krakonoš Square (Krakonošovo náměstí) in its centre.

The landmark of the square is the neo-Gothic Old Town Hall, nowadays the tourist information centre.

[14] The Bohuslav Martinů Concert Hall is located in the former Lutheran church, built in the neo-Gothic style in 1900.