Svojanov

Svojanov is a market town (městys) in Svitavy District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. Svojanov lies approximately 16 kilometres (10 mi) south of Svitavy, 65 km (40 mi) south-east of Pardubice, and 152 km (94 mi) east of Prague.

Svojanov Castle
Svojanov
Městys
Svojanov as seen from the Svojanov Castle
Flag
Coat of arms
Svojanov
Coordinates: 49°37′29″N 16°24′36″E
Country Czech Republic
RegionPardubice
DistrictSvitavy
Area
 • Total13.89 km2 (5.36 sq mi)
Elevation
460 m (1,510 ft)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total368
 • Density26/km2 (69/sq mi)
Postal code
569 73 to 569 92
Websitehttp://www.mestyssvojanov.cz

The town covers an area of 13.89 square kilometres (5.36 sq mi). The total population is around 360. The number of inhabitants in the town has been decreasing over the last decades (for example in 1977 the town had 654 inhabitants).[2]

The town was firstly mentioned in 1287. It has a rich history that is closely connected with the Svojanov Castle. The castle was founded around 1262 by Ottokar II of Bohemia to protect the Trstěnice route, a former trade route of significant importance. The castle's original German name was Fürstenberg. In 1421 the town was besieged by Jan Žižka and between 1642 and 1645 the town was occupied by the Swedes. In December 1798 the Russian legions marched through Svojanov to fight against Napoleon.[3]

Starý Svojanov (English translation: Old Svojanov) is supposedly the oldest part of the municipality. An interesting sight is the church of St. Nicholas (Czech: kostel sv. Mikuláše) with a 13th-century chancel and fresco decoration which dates back to the period of Charles IV.

References
  1. "Population of municipalities of the Czech Republic". Czech Statistical Office. 1 January 2020.
  2. Databáze demografických údajů za obce ČR, Available online at http://www.czso.cz/cz/obce_d/index.htm
  3. Městys Svojanov, available onnline at http://www.mestyssvojanov.cz/index.htm


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