Čáslav
Čáslav (Czech pronunciation: [ˈtʃaːslaf]; German: Tschaslau, Hungarian: Császló) is a town in eastern part of Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 10,000 inhabitants.
Čáslav | |
---|---|
Town | |
Town square | |
Flag Coat of arms | |
Čáslav Location in the Czech Republic | |
Coordinates: 49°54′42″N 15°23′42″E | |
Country | |
Region | Central Bohemian |
District | Kutná Hora |
Founded | 13th century |
Government | |
• Mayor | Vlastislav Málek |
Area | |
• Total | 26.46 km2 (10.22 sq mi) |
Elevation | 231 m (758 ft) |
Population (2020-01-01[1]) | |
• Total | 10,322 |
• Density | 390/km2 (1,000/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 286 01 |
Website | www |
History
The history of Čáslav begins after the year 800 with the founding of a citadel and settlement called Hrádek. Near Hrádek, a new town with a huge square was founded by King Přemysl Otakar II in 1250. In 1421, Bohemian parliament debated in Čáslav and voted in a new Hussite government.
During the Thirty Years' War, in 1639 and 1642, Čáslav was devastated and burnt down by Swedish troops. In 1751 Čáslav became the centre of region (county). Čáslav Museum, one of the oldest regional museums in Bohemia was founded in 1864. In 1910, part of the cranium of famous Hussite general Jan Žižka z Trocnova was discovered in Čáslav parish church.
Synagogue
The synagogue was built between 1899 and 1900 in Moorish style, designed by architect Wilhelm Stiassny. It was used until 1939 by the local Jewish community, which was then almost totally wiped out during The Holocaust. After World War II the abandoned building saw use as a warehouse, and then (between 1969–1989) as a gallery. In 1989, however, it was returned to the Jewish Community in Prague and has recently been restored.
Sport
Čáslav is sometimes called a town of majorettes, because of the local town team, which is winning medals from Czech and world competitions one by one.
Notable is the Athletics Club Čáslav. Two of its most known sportswomen are Ludmila Formanová and Jarmila Kratochvílová, both World Champions in running at 800 m.[2]
Air Base
To the northeast of the city is an active air base of the Czech Air Force.[3]
Notable people
- Jan Ladislav Dussek (1760–1812), composer and pianist
- Jan Karafiát (1846—1929), calvinistic priest and children writer
- Antonín Chittussi (1847–1891), Impressionist painter
- Rudolf Těsnohlídek (1882–1928), writer
- Jiří Mahen (1882–1939), writer
- František Moravec (1895–1966), military intelligence officer
- Josef Svoboda (1920–2002), scenographer
- Antonín Rükl (1932–2016), astronomer
- Miloš Forman (1932–2018), film director
- Jarmila Kratochvílová (born 1951), athlete
- Ludmila Formanová (born 1974), athlete
- David Jarolím (born 1979), footballer
Twin towns – sister cities
Opfikon, Switzerland
References
- "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2020". Czech Statistical Office. 2020-04-30.
- http://www.czechcities.eu/caslav/
- http://www.afbcaslav.cz/
- "Partnerská města" (in Czech). Město Čáslav. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Čáslav. |
Wikisource has the text of the 1905 New International Encyclopedia article Czaslau. |