Ploskovice

Ploskovice (German: Ploschkowitz) is a village and municipality (obec) in Litoměřice District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic.

Ploskovice
Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms
Ploskovice
Coordinates: 50°33′27″N 14°11′45″E
Country Czech Republic
RegionÚstí nad Labem
DistrictLitoměřice
Area
 • Total8.41 km2 (3.25 sq mi)
Elevation
238 m (781 ft)
Population
 (2007)
 • Total384
 • Density46/km2 (120/sq mi)
Postal code
411 42 to 412 01
Websitehttp://www.ploskovice.cz

The municipality covers an area of 8.41 square kilometres (3.25 sq mi), and has a population of 384 (as at 31 December 2007).

Ploskovice lies approximately 7 kilometres (4 mi) north-east of Litoměřice, 16 km (10 mi) south-east of Ústí nad Labem, and 55 km (34 mi) north of Prague.

History
Ploskovice, former Ploschkowitz Castle

Duchess Anna Maria Franziska of Saxe-Lauenburg (1672 – 1741) had sprawling estates in the region, including the castle of Ploskovice, acquired by her father in 1663. She was very wealthy, and brought a possible claim to the Duchy of Saxe-Lauenburg through her father Duke Julius Francis.[1] Through their possessions the ducal family also belonged to the Bohemian nobility.

In 1697, the Duchess married Gian Gastone de' Medici, who later became Grand Duke of Tuscany. They lived in the castle of Ploskovice. Anna Maria Franziska dominated her weak husband, which drove him into the arms of alcohol. He deplored her behaviour, "capriciousness, peevish faces and sharp words". Gian Gastone stayed with his wife for a mere ten months, before fleeing to Prague.[2] The Tuscan grand duchess refused to come to Tuscany, despite her husband's constant protestations. She believed that the Medici were in the habit of murdering their consorts.[3]

References

Notes
  1. Paul Strathern, The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance, London: Vintage books, 2003, pp. 397 – 398. ISBN 978-0-09-952297-3
  2. "Gian Gastone". Yahoo.com - Geocities. Archived from the original on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  3. Paul Strathern, The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance, London: Vintage books, 2003, p. 403. ISBN 978-0-09-952297-3



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