Osek (Rokycany District)
Encyclopedia
Osek, is a village and municipality (obec
) in the Rokycany District
of the Plzeň Region
of Western Bohemia
in the Czech Republic
.
The municipality covers an area of 18.07 square kilometres (7 sq mi), and has a population of 1293 (as of 31 December 2008).
It is situated 3 kilometres (2 mi) north of the town of Rokycany
. The village stretches in north-south direction along the road from Rokycany to Břasy
. Other minor roads divert from it in the territory of Osek , namely a road to Litohlavy, a road to Volduchy and a road to Bušovice. The terrain of Osek and its environs is rather flat, forming a forestless plateau bordered by massif of Radeč (420 metres (1,378 ft)) in the northeast and the valley of the Klabava river in the south with the regional center of Rokycany. Several minor water streams such as Osecký potok Stream and Voldušský potok Stream cross the plateau. Several lakes were established in and around Osek in the past. Today rybník Karásek Lake, rybník Labutinka Lake, Lukotovský rybník Lake and Nový rybník Lake still exist. In the southern section of Osek a hill called Kamýk (718 metres (2,356 ft)) rises. On the top of Kamýk, the ruins are standing of 18th-century manor house. Approximately 2 kilometres (1 mi) northwest of Osek a village of Vitinka is located. This formerly independent community has been merged with Osek. Vitinka consists of several clusters of separate settlements scattered across the area northwest of Osek. There are Vitinka proper, Hudlice, Nový Dvůr and Kolna settlements there.
, where a man by name of Pudivoj z Oseka (of Osek) is referred to. Monastery in Plasy was founder of Osek. Village was dominated by small gothic castle (later in 16th century rebuilt). In following centuries Osek was owned by several aristocratic families. Beside farming village specialized in iron ore mining and iron production. This local industry utilized energy from the system of artificial lakes in Osek's proximity and charcoal
from nearby forests. Iron ore mining continued until 1850. In 19th a 20th centuries Osek remained mostly agricultural community. The village of Vitinka was founded around the year of 1697. It used to be traditionally a part of Osek. In 1924 an independent community of Vitinka was created, however in 1980 Vitinka merged with Osek again.
Osek belongs among larger villages with population above 1,000. Thanks to relatively convenient location in proximity of region's major population centers (Rokycany
, Plzeň) Osek's population is stable, even with slight trend towards growth.
Population of Osek:
Obec
Obec is the Czech and Slovak word for a municipality . The literal meaning of the word is "commune" or "community". It is the smallest administrative unit that is governed by elected representatives. Cities are also municipalities...
) in the 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 -...
of the 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 :...
of Western Bohemia
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...
in 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....
.
The municipality covers an area of 18.07 square kilometres (7 sq mi), and has a population of 1293 (as of 31 December 2008).
It is situated 3 kilometres (2 mi) north of the town 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...
. The village stretches in north-south direction along the road from Rokycany to Břasy
Brasy
Břasy, , village in western Bohemia, Rokycany District, Plzeň Region of the Czech republic. It is located 10 km north of Rokycany and 3 km southwest of Radnice, 458 m. above sea-level. Břasy lies at largely deforested plateau, which falls sharply towards the valley of Berounka River in the west...
. Other minor roads divert from it in the territory of Osek , namely a road to Litohlavy, a road to Volduchy and a road to Bušovice. The terrain of Osek and its environs is rather flat, forming a forestless plateau bordered by massif of Radeč (420 metres (1,378 ft)) in the northeast and the valley of the Klabava river in the south with the regional center of Rokycany. Several minor water streams such as Osecký potok Stream and Voldušský potok Stream cross the plateau. Several lakes were established in and around Osek in the past. Today rybník Karásek Lake, rybník Labutinka Lake, Lukotovský rybník Lake and Nový rybník Lake still exist. In the southern section of Osek a hill called Kamýk (718 metres (2,356 ft)) rises. On the top of Kamýk, the ruins are standing of 18th-century manor house. Approximately 2 kilometres (1 mi) northwest of Osek a village of Vitinka is located. This formerly independent community has been merged with Osek. Vitinka consists of several clusters of separate settlements scattered across the area northwest of Osek. There are Vitinka proper, Hudlice, Nový Dvůr and Kolna settlements there.
History
Osek was mentioned first in 1240 in a document issued by the king Václav I. (Wenceslaus I of Bohemia) to the monastery of PlasyPlasy
Plasy is a small town in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It lies on the Střela River, some to the north from the region capital of Plzeň....
, where a man by name of Pudivoj z Oseka (of Osek) is referred to. Monastery in Plasy was founder of Osek. Village was dominated by small gothic castle (later in 16th century rebuilt). In following centuries Osek was owned by several aristocratic families. Beside farming village specialized in iron ore mining and iron production. This local industry utilized energy from the system of artificial lakes in Osek's proximity and charcoal
Charcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
from nearby forests. Iron ore mining continued until 1850. In 19th a 20th centuries Osek remained mostly agricultural community. The village of Vitinka was founded around the year of 1697. It used to be traditionally a part of Osek. In 1924 an independent community of Vitinka was created, however in 1980 Vitinka merged with Osek again.
Demography
As to ethnicity, Osek was traditionally a Czech settlement. Within Rokycany DistrictRokycany 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 -...
Osek belongs among larger villages with population above 1,000. Thanks to relatively convenient location in proximity of region's major population centers (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...
, Plzeň) Osek's population is stable, even with slight trend towards growth.
Population of Osek:
| Year | 1890 | 1961 | 1970 | 1980 | 1991 | 2001 | 2007 |
| Population | 1,112 | 1,111 | 1,078 | 1,068 | 1,117 | 1,097 | 1,213 |