Letohrad
Encyclopedia
Letohrad (ˈlɛtoɦrat; until 1950 called Kyšperk; ) is a town in the Pardubice Region
of the Czech Republic
. It has around 6,200 inhabitants. The town lies beneath Orlice Mountains, on the river Tichá Orlice.
Villages Červená, Kunčice and Orlice are administrative parts of Letohrad.
). Since 1406 it has been called Orlice. The village has an old church building which was burned down during the Hussite Wars
and for the last time was rebuilt in 1711. Since the end of 19th century several textile factories have been built here.
have been electrotechnical industry and production of construction materials, as well as agriculture. Panelák
s were built to provide housing. After the Velvet Revolution
in 1989 the historical centre of the town was renovated.
The town tries to attract tourists with cultural festivals, sport events and rich collection of historical sights.
Letohrad has a partner town Hausen am Albis
in Switzerland
.
Pardubice Region
Pardubice Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located mainly in the eastern part of its historical region of Bohemia, with a small part in northwestern Moravia. It is named after its capital Pardubice. "There are a total of 452 municipalities in the region...
of 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....
. It has around 6,200 inhabitants. The town lies beneath Orlice Mountains, on the river Tichá Orlice.
Villages Červená, Kunčice and Orlice are administrative parts of Letohrad.
Kyšperk
The first mention in a written document comes from 1308 - during the reign of a weak king the castle Geiersberg harbored villain noblemen harassing their neighbourhood. In 1513 Kyšperk was first mentioned as a town. During the last quarter of 17th century the owner of the town Hynek Jetřich Vitanovský from Vlčkovice greatly improved its state: he ordered to rebuild the fortress into a baroque palace, founded a baroque church of St. Wenceslas (this church is beautifully decorated with fabulous plasters (stucco) by the Italian master Giovanni Maderna), handcraftsmen were allowed to establish guilds, and a hospital for poor and old people was founded. The large fire from 1824 burned down 76 houses. In 1874 a railway crossed Kyšperk, starting the growth of industry in the town.Červená village
The village was called Rotnek until 1950. It is separated from the rest of the town by a cliff called Hrubý kámen with a cross on its top.Kunčice village
The village was first mentioned in a written document from 1292. In 1685 a brick church building was founded. It was rebuilt in 1761. Castelet Ovčín was built in 1686. From the second half of 19th century until 1922 a phosphorus matches manufacture existed here. The village became a part of Letohrad in 1950.Orlice village
The place was first mentioned in a written document from 1361 (a small fortress existed here) under its original name Pratum (in LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
). Since 1406 it has been called Orlice. The village has an old church building which was burned down during the Hussite Wars
Hussite Wars
The Hussite Wars, also called the Bohemian Wars involved the military actions against and amongst the followers of Jan Hus in Bohemia in the period 1419 to circa 1434. The Hussite Wars were notable for the extensive use of early hand-held gunpowder weapons such as hand cannons...
and for the last time was rebuilt in 1711. Since the end of 19th century several textile factories have been built here.
Letohrad today
The main source of employment after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
have been electrotechnical industry and production of construction materials, as well as agriculture. Panelák
Panelák
is a colloquial term in Czech and Slovak for a panel building constructed of pre-fabricated, pre-stressed concrete, such as those extant in Czech Republic and elsewhere in the former Soviet bloc...
s were built to provide housing. After the Velvet Revolution
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
in 1989 the historical centre of the town was renovated.
The town tries to attract tourists with cultural festivals, sport events and rich collection of historical sights.
Letohrad has a partner town Hausen am Albis
Hausen am Albis
Hausen am Albis is a village in the district of Affoltern in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.-History:Hausen am Albis may be first mentioned in 869 as Husun, though this reference is questionable. In 1242 it was mentioned as Husen.-Geography:...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
Main attractions of the town
- Letohrad Castle http://www.mu.letohrad.cz/Aj/sight/castle.htm
- Wenceslas's Square http://www.mu.letohrad.cz/Aj/sight/square.htm with dominating baroque Marian Plaque Column http://www.mu.letohrad.cz/Aj/sight/column.htm
- Chapel of St. Jan Nepomuk http://www.mu.letohrad.cz/Aj/sight/church.htm
- Municipal Museum http://www.mu.letohrad.cz/Aj/sight/museum.htm and Museum of Handcrafts http://www.mu.letohrad.cz/Aj/sight/handcraft.htm
- Park http://www.mu.letohrad.cz/Aj/sight/park.htm
Famous people associated with the town
- Painter Alfons MuchaAlfons MuchaAlfons Maria Mucha , known in English as Alphonse Mucha, was a Czech Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist, known best for his distinct style. He produced many paintings, illustrations, advertisements, postcards, and designs.-Early years:...
(1860-1939), lived and worked in this town in 1934-35 - Writer Petr Jilemnický (1901-1949), was born here
- Painters Ignác (Hynek) Umlauf (1821-1851) and his brother, Jan Umlauf (1825-1916), both worked and died here
- František Vladislav HekFrantišek Vladislav HekFrantišek Vladislav Hek was a Czech patriot active in early phases of the Czech National Revival, writer and composer. He has novel F. L. Věk by Alois Jirásek.Hek was born the son of a shopkeeper from Dobruška...
(1769-1847), early activist of Czech National RevivalCzech National RevivalCzech National Revival was a cultural movement, which took part in the Czech lands during the 18th and 19th century. The purpose of this movement was to revive Czech language, culture and national identity...
, died here - Diplomat Josef KorbelJosef KorbelJosef Korbel was a Czechoslovakian diplomat and U.S. educator, who is now best known as the father of Bill Clinton's Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, and the mentor of George W...
(1909-1977), father of US politician Madeleine AlbrightMadeleine AlbrightMadeleine Korbelová Albright is the first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99–0...
, was born here
External links
- Municipal website (cz)
- Town museum, town history details (cz, en, de, pl)