Hrádek (Rokycany District)
Encyclopedia
Hrádek is a town in Western Bohemia
, the Czech Republic
(Plzeň Region
, Rokycany District
), 5 km southeast of Rokycany
, 440 m. above sea level in the valley of Klabava (River) which is also known as Padrťský potok. North of Hrádek, large forested massif of Žďár (629 m. above sea level) with its lateral elevation of Hrádecký vrch (549 m. above sea level) delineates northern border of the Klabava valley while in the south relatively mild slopes form large plateau where most of Hrádek's built-up area lies. The most prominent elevation in the southern section of the valley is Svatý Vojtěch hill (513 m. above sea level). Hrádek belongs together with Rokycany and Kamenný Újezd to the contiguous urban area along the Klabava valley. Main artery of this urban concentration being road from Rokycany to Mirošov
that runs along Hrádek's western periphery. Another road connecting Rokycany and Strašice via Dobřív runs north of Hrádek.
) donated Hrádek to Petr z Rožmberka then. Village of Nová Huť was located ca. 1 km to the east of Hrádek. Since Middle Ages the Klabava Valley region specialized in iron ore mining and iron production. This industrial aspect was further strengthened in 20th century when both communities (Hrádek and Nová Huť) formed functionally one settlement with their economy centered around the Hrádecké železárny steelworks. Later both villages merged into one under name of Hrádek. After WWII, local steelworks have expanded filling most of the area along the Klabava (River). These investments were accompanied by massive residential construction that completely transformed Hrádek. New housing project grew in area between old Hrádek and Nová Huť villages covering the plateau south of Klabava river. Architecture of earlier stages of this new tenement houses district was inspired by Socialist realism
. Main axis of new Hrádek is a wide avenue (ulice 1.máje Street) leading from Nová Huť to the southeast where it ends in central square (Náměstí 9.května Square) with community center, department store and other public facilities. Rapid population growth followed and Hrádek acqiured urban character. In 1975 Hrádek was officially declared a town. After 1989 Hrádecké železárny went through uneasy transformation which resulted in rising unemployment but in 1998 Borgers CS new factory opened http://www.borgers-group.com/english/welcome.htm#top in area between the town and the steelworks.
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
, the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
(Plzeň Region
Plzen Region
Plzeň Region is an administrative unit in the western part of Bohemia in the Czech Republic. It is named after its capital Plzeň .- Communes :...
, Rokycany District
Rokycany District
Rokycany District is a district within Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. Its capital is Rokycany.- Complete list of municipalities :Bezděkov -Břasy -Březina -Bujesily -Bušovice -Cekov -Cheznovice -Chlum -Chomle -Čilá -Dobřív -...
), 5 km southeast of Rokycany
Rokycany
Rokycany , is a town in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It lies to the East from the region capital of Pilsen on the confluence of the River Klabava and the Holoubkov Brook . Alternatively, the Holoubkovský potok is referred to as the Borecký potok and the section of the Klabava River down...
, 440 m. above sea level in the valley of Klabava (River) which is also known as Padrťský potok. North of Hrádek, large forested massif of Žďár (629 m. above sea level) with its lateral elevation of Hrádecký vrch (549 m. above sea level) delineates northern border of the Klabava valley while in the south relatively mild slopes form large plateau where most of Hrádek's built-up area lies. The most prominent elevation in the southern section of the valley is Svatý Vojtěch hill (513 m. above sea level). Hrádek belongs together with Rokycany and Kamenný Újezd to the contiguous urban area along the Klabava valley. Main artery of this urban concentration being road from Rokycany to Mirošov
Mirošov
Mirošov is a town in Western Bohemia, the Czech Republic , 7 km southeast of Rokycany, 457 m. above sea level. Mirošov is located on the Skořický potok Stream that is joined by Příkosický potok Stream in the town's territory. In the east large forested complex of Brdy hills begins, its highest...
that runs along Hrádek's western periphery. Another road connecting Rokycany and Strašice via Dobřív runs north of Hrádek.
Demography
As to ethnicity, Hrádek was traditionally a Czech settlement. . In 1890 population of Hrádek was 448, village of Nová Huť had population of 215 then. In 20th century population steadily grew. After WWII massive housing project of completely new town of Hrádek was started and population reached more than 3,000. Since reaching its peak in 1980 town's population has been dropping slightly. As of Jan. 1st 2007 Hrádek had 2,999 inhabitants.| Year | 1890 | 1961 | 1970 | 1980 | 1991 | 2001 | 2007 |
| Population | 663 | 2,174 | 2,859 | 3,358 | 3,052 | 2,900 | 2,999 |
History
There are two historical village communities in the territory of what is now Hrádek. Village of Hrádek was mentioned as early as 1325. The king Jan Lucemburský (John I of BohemiaJohn I of Bohemia
John the Blind was the Count of Luxembourg from 1309 and King of Bohemia from 1310 and titular King of Poland. He was the eldest son of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII and his wife Margaret of Brabant...
) donated Hrádek to Petr z Rožmberka then. Village of Nová Huť was located ca. 1 km to the east of Hrádek. Since Middle Ages the Klabava Valley region specialized in iron ore mining and iron production. This industrial aspect was further strengthened in 20th century when both communities (Hrádek and Nová Huť) formed functionally one settlement with their economy centered around the Hrádecké železárny steelworks. Later both villages merged into one under name of Hrádek. After WWII, local steelworks have expanded filling most of the area along the Klabava (River). These investments were accompanied by massive residential construction that completely transformed Hrádek. New housing project grew in area between old Hrádek and Nová Huť villages covering the plateau south of Klabava river. Architecture of earlier stages of this new tenement houses district was inspired by Socialist realism
Socialist realism
Socialist realism is a style of realistic art which was developed in the Soviet Union and became a dominant style in other communist countries. Socialist realism is a teleologically-oriented style having its purpose the furtherance of the goals of socialism and communism...
. Main axis of new Hrádek is a wide avenue (ulice 1.máje Street) leading from Nová Huť to the southeast where it ends in central square (Náměstí 9.května Square) with community center, department store and other public facilities. Rapid population growth followed and Hrádek acqiured urban character. In 1975 Hrádek was officially declared a town. After 1989 Hrádecké železárny went through uneasy transformation which resulted in rising unemployment but in 1998 Borgers CS new factory opened http://www.borgers-group.com/english/welcome.htm#top in area between the town and the steelworks.