Rokycany
Encyclopedia
Rokycany (ˈrokɪtsanɪ; ), 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 to the confluence as the Padrťský potok. There is another smaller brook (Rakovský potok or Rakováček) in the western part of the town.
The town is located in the lowland, 362 meters above sea-level, bordered by hilly woodlands, especially the Brdy
mountains to the east (highest elevation - Tok, 865 meters above sea-level) or the Radeč massif - 718 meters above sea-level.
Rokycany is also the seat of the Municipality with Extended Competence and Municipality with Commissioned Local Authority.
. Celt
ic and early Slavic
settlements were discovered. First written document mentions Rokycany in 1110. At that time it was a village owned by the Bishop of Prague and major Bohemian and German noblemen met here for diplomatic talks with Emperor Henry V. In 1295 a stockade fortifications in Rokycany are mentioned (probably defending the district around the main church). Major changes occurred in the 14th century when the village finally transformed into town and new western part of the settlement with rectangular grid was added. In 14th century Rokycany also had the main church rebuilt in Gothic style and by 1399 system of town fortification is mentioned. Rokycany took an active role in Hussite movement. Master John of Rokycan
(1397—1471), Archbishop
of Prague
, active during Hussite Wars
was born here. In 1406 Rokycany obtained city rights. In 16th century new prosperity of the town started. Rokycany was given rights as free King's city in 1584 making it self-administered entity. The prosperity came to an abrupt end with the Thirty Years' War
. Rokycany was repeatedly afflicted by various armies, most notably by Swedish army led by Banner who completely burned the town. By the end of the war Rokycany's population stood at merely 774. Another period of prosperity started in 18th century. Town was partially destroyed by fire in 1757 (52 housed damaged) and completely destroyed by another fire in 1784 (260 houses damaged). After the fire town-hall and main church had to be rebuilt as well as most of the private houses. Thanks to favorable economic conditions of the residents the post-1784 renewal proceeded rather quickly. In 19th century crafts and industry became main source of Rokycany's economy. The traditional iron-ore mining and processing industry was strengthened and linked with coal mining industry in nearby Mirošov (Rokycany District) basin. In 1862 Rokycany was connected via railway with Prague
and Plzeň. Industrial development continued for most of the 20th century. Population soared (from 4,187 in 1869 to more than 16,000 in late 1980's) and town expanded with new neighborhoods, some of them inspired by concepts of Garden city movement
(Rašínov neighborhood in the southern outskirts). On May 7 1945 Rokycany was liberated by the American army which stopped its eastward advance here meeting with the allied Soviet troops in the eastern part of the town (creating so-called Demarcation line). In the post-WWII era, the development of the town was carried out in line with the ruling communist regime. The new massive construction activity focused on uniform tenement houses, from 1960's built with concrete panels (so-called "panelák
"). The local industry was further expanded and the life of the town was strongly influenced by strong army garrison (located in two barracks built in 1899 and 1933 respectively). In 1960 neighboring village Borek was merged with Rokycany, in 1980 another three rural communities (Kamenný Újezd (Rokycany District)
, Litohlavy
, Svojkovice (Rokycany District)
) joined Rokycany (however all 3 have separated in 1990's)http://rokycanyhomepage.ic.cz/rokycanyhomepage.htm
Střed encompasses the historical core of the town with two main squares, main church of Panna Marie Sněžná and town-hall. Since 1992 the historical core of Rokycany has been declared protected zone in order to protect the architecture. The border of this district largely follows the path of former town's fortification. The medieval walls are still standing in several short sections. On the southern side the walls have been replaced by a representative avenue (Jiráskova ulice) with several major public buildings such as “sokolovna” (Sokol
organization headquarters) from 1903, new railway-station from 1931, gymnázium (grammar-school) from 1905 or municipal bank from 1933.
Nové Město is by far most populous district surrounding the historical core from north, east and south. It evolved from traditional Pražské předměstí suburb which was located on both banks of the Klabava river along the road to Prague (Pražská ulice) and Nerudovo náměstí square. In post WWII era most of the old suburb was demolished and replaced by several housing projects. With the population growth the built-up area of Nové Město expanded in all directions. There are thus several distinct modern neighborhoods. Práchovna is located in the southeastern section of Rokycany on the banks of the Klabava River. Several industrial estates and colony of cheap tenement houses for local workers from early 20th century form most of Práchovna. Páclovna is situated along the road to Prague on Rokycany's eastern outskirts. It mainly consists of private houses, the Demarcation line memorial is located here (commemorating the meeting of American and Russian troops that occurred here in 1945), Osecký vrch lies in the north along the road to the village of Osek. In 1957 large hospital was built here. There are large parks covering the surrounding slopes (Husovy sady and Kalvárie) and large complex of town swimming-pool and football stadium. Jižní předměstí covers territory south of the Prague-Plzeň railway. It consists of several industrial zones and populous housing projects from 1950's and 1970's. The military barracks built in 1933 have been converted into a residential and industrial zone recently.
Plzeňské předměstí forms western part of Rokycany. It started in medieval era as a small cluster of rural houses adjoining Rokycany’s historical core. In early 17th century Protestant church Nejsvětější Trojice was built here, soon after taken by Catholics. In 19th century Plzeňské předměstí quickly grew along the road to Plzeň (Plzeňská ulice), mainly industrial development was later accompanied by residential houses. In 1920's massive housing project started on Rokycany's southern outskirts. The new neighborhood was later called Rašínov (Alois Rašín
was finance minister of Czechoslovakia, assassinated in 1923). In consists solely of private houses in art-deco style. In 1930's another neighborhood was inaugurated in the western periphery, called Za Rakováčkem. It also features almost exclusively private residential houses.
Borek is formerly independent village located ca.2 km east of Rokycany. In 1960 Borek came under the jurisdiction of Rokycany. The Borecký rybník lake is most notorious landmark of this district. In 20th century the built-up area of Borek expanded amalgamating the village with Rokycany.
(economic slowdown of 1870's which affected the economy of Austria-Hungary) the growth stopped. In late 1890's however population began to expand again, only to halt during WWI. In post-1918 era Rokycany grew rapidly. In late 1930's this growth was further spurred by influx of ethnic Czech refugees from Sudetenland
. In 1939 Rokycany's population touched 10,000 mark briefly. After WWII many citizens of Rokycany left the town for border regions from where the ethnic Germans were expelled. From 1950's new wave of massive growth started, pushing the town's population past 10,000 in mid 1950's and past 15,000 in 1980's. Demographic maximum was reached in 1989 with more than 16,000 inhabitants. Since that time the population dropped to ca.14,000 as a result of economic a social transition and also of separation of 3 villages from the community of Rokycany. The population of Rokycany currently stands at 14,705, as of 1 January 2008 (as stated by the Czech ministry of Interior, http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/sprava/informat/cetnost/obce/pocet_obcane_leden08.xls) or 14,062 (as stated by the Czech statistical office, http://www.czso.cz/csu/2008edicniplan.nsf/t/4E003F7AD9/$File/13010803.xls).
Ethnically, Rokycany has been a predominately Czech settlement since Middle Ages
. The German minority accounted for no more than couple of dozens individuals. In 1938 the town's population was boosted by influx of ethnic Czechs fleeing the border regions of Czechoslovakia which had been ceded to Nazi Germany
. After 1945 most ethnic Germans were expelled
. The ethnic mix of Rokycany was in the post-WWII era enriched by Romas (Gypsies) and Slovaks.
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 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 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 to the confluence as the Padrťský potok. There is another smaller brook (Rakovský potok or Rakováček) in the western part of the town.
The town is located in the lowland, 362 meters above sea-level, bordered by hilly woodlands, especially the Brdy
Brdy
Brdy are hills in the Czech Republic, forming a long massif stretching for cca.60 km from Prague in the direction of southwest. The northern section of the Brdy is called "Hřebeny" and features one narrow ridge . The Brdy proper starts south of the Litavka river gorge and consists of several...
mountains to the east (highest elevation - Tok, 865 meters above sea-level) or the Radeč massif - 718 meters above sea-level.
Rokycany is also the seat of the Municipality with Extended Competence and Municipality with Commissioned Local Authority.
History
The place was inhabited since Stone AgeStone Age
The Stone Age is a broad prehistoric period, lasting about 2.5 million years , during which humans and their predecessor species in the genus Homo, as well as the earlier partly contemporary genera Australopithecus and Paranthropus, widely used exclusively stone as their hard material in the...
. Celt
Celt
The Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Roman-era Europe who spoke Celtic languages.The earliest archaeological culture commonly accepted as Celtic, or rather Proto-Celtic, was the central European Hallstatt culture , named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria....
ic and early Slavic
Slavic peoples
The Slavic people are an Indo-European panethnicity living in Eastern Europe, Southeast Europe, North Asia and Central Asia. The term Slavic represents a broad ethno-linguistic group of people, who speak languages belonging to the Slavic language family and share, to varying degrees, certain...
settlements were discovered. First written document mentions Rokycany in 1110. At that time it was a village owned by the Bishop of Prague and major Bohemian and German noblemen met here for diplomatic talks with Emperor Henry V. In 1295 a stockade fortifications in Rokycany are mentioned (probably defending the district around the main church). Major changes occurred in the 14th century when the village finally transformed into town and new western part of the settlement with rectangular grid was added. In 14th century Rokycany also had the main church rebuilt in Gothic style and by 1399 system of town fortification is mentioned. Rokycany took an active role in Hussite movement. Master John of Rokycan
John of Rokycan
John of Rokycan, also known as Jan of Rokycany, in Czech language Jan Rokycana, Jan z Rokycana and Jan z Rokycan was a Hussite theologian, archbishop of Prague and a key figure in Bohemian church history.- Life :In his youth, John of Rokycan entered the Augustinian monastery in Rokycany...
(1397—1471), Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, active during 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...
was born here. In 1406 Rokycany obtained city rights. In 16th century new prosperity of the town started. Rokycany was given rights as free King's city in 1584 making it self-administered entity. The prosperity came to an abrupt end with the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
. Rokycany was repeatedly afflicted by various armies, most notably by Swedish army led by Banner who completely burned the town. By the end of the war Rokycany's population stood at merely 774. Another period of prosperity started in 18th century. Town was partially destroyed by fire in 1757 (52 housed damaged) and completely destroyed by another fire in 1784 (260 houses damaged). After the fire town-hall and main church had to be rebuilt as well as most of the private houses. Thanks to favorable economic conditions of the residents the post-1784 renewal proceeded rather quickly. In 19th century crafts and industry became main source of Rokycany's economy. The traditional iron-ore mining and processing industry was strengthened and linked with coal mining industry in nearby Mirošov (Rokycany District) basin. In 1862 Rokycany was connected via railway with Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and Plzeň. Industrial development continued for most of the 20th century. Population soared (from 4,187 in 1869 to more than 16,000 in late 1980's) and town expanded with new neighborhoods, some of them inspired by concepts of Garden city movement
Garden city movement
The garden city movement is a method of urban planning that was initiated in 1898 by Sir Ebenezer Howard in the United Kingdom. Garden cities were intended to be planned, self-contained communities surrounded by "greenbelts" , containing proportionate areas of residences, industry and...
(Rašínov neighborhood in the southern outskirts). On May 7 1945 Rokycany was liberated by the American army which stopped its eastward advance here meeting with the allied Soviet troops in the eastern part of the town (creating so-called Demarcation line). In the post-WWII era, the development of the town was carried out in line with the ruling communist regime. The new massive construction activity focused on uniform tenement houses, from 1960's built with concrete panels (so-called "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...
"). The local industry was further expanded and the life of the town was strongly influenced by strong army garrison (located in two barracks built in 1899 and 1933 respectively). In 1960 neighboring village Borek was merged with Rokycany, in 1980 another three rural communities (Kamenný Újezd (Rokycany District)
Kamenný Újezd (Rokycany District)
Kamenný Újezd is a village and municipality in Rokycany District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic.The municipality covers an area of , and has a population of 664 ....
, Litohlavy
Litohlavy
Litohlavy is a village in Western Bohemia, the Czech Republic , 3 km northwest of Rokycany, 403 m. above sea level, on the Osecký potok stream. The stream bisects the settlement into two parts...
, Svojkovice (Rokycany District)
Svojkovice (Rokycany District)
Svojkovice is a village in the Rokycany District of the Plzeň Region of Western Bohemia in the Czech Republic. It is situated 4 km northeast of the town of Rokycany, 394 m. above sea-level. Svojkovice lies on the Borecký potok Stream...
) joined Rokycany (however all 3 have separated in 1990's)http://rokycanyhomepage.ic.cz/rokycanyhomepage.htm
Geography
Rokycany is officially divided into 4 districts, namely „Střed“ (Center), „Nové Město“ (New Town), „Plzeňské předměstí“ (Plzeň Suburb) and “Borek”.Střed encompasses the historical core of the town with two main squares, main church of Panna Marie Sněžná and town-hall. Since 1992 the historical core of Rokycany has been declared protected zone in order to protect the architecture. The border of this district largely follows the path of former town's fortification. The medieval walls are still standing in several short sections. On the southern side the walls have been replaced by a representative avenue (Jiráskova ulice) with several major public buildings such as “sokolovna” (Sokol
Sokol
The Sokol movement is a youth sport movement and gymnastics organization first founded in Czech region of Austria-Hungary, Prague, in 1862 by Miroslav Tyrš and Jindřich Fügner...
organization headquarters) from 1903, new railway-station from 1931, gymnázium (grammar-school) from 1905 or municipal bank from 1933.
Nové Město is by far most populous district surrounding the historical core from north, east and south. It evolved from traditional Pražské předměstí suburb which was located on both banks of the Klabava river along the road to Prague (Pražská ulice) and Nerudovo náměstí square. In post WWII era most of the old suburb was demolished and replaced by several housing projects. With the population growth the built-up area of Nové Město expanded in all directions. There are thus several distinct modern neighborhoods. Práchovna is located in the southeastern section of Rokycany on the banks of the Klabava River. Several industrial estates and colony of cheap tenement houses for local workers from early 20th century form most of Práchovna. Páclovna is situated along the road to Prague on Rokycany's eastern outskirts. It mainly consists of private houses, the Demarcation line memorial is located here (commemorating the meeting of American and Russian troops that occurred here in 1945), Osecký vrch lies in the north along the road to the village of Osek. In 1957 large hospital was built here. There are large parks covering the surrounding slopes (Husovy sady and Kalvárie) and large complex of town swimming-pool and football stadium. Jižní předměstí covers territory south of the Prague-Plzeň railway. It consists of several industrial zones and populous housing projects from 1950's and 1970's. The military barracks built in 1933 have been converted into a residential and industrial zone recently.
Plzeňské předměstí forms western part of Rokycany. It started in medieval era as a small cluster of rural houses adjoining Rokycany’s historical core. In early 17th century Protestant church Nejsvětější Trojice was built here, soon after taken by Catholics. In 19th century Plzeňské předměstí quickly grew along the road to Plzeň (Plzeňská ulice), mainly industrial development was later accompanied by residential houses. In 1920's massive housing project started on Rokycany's southern outskirts. The new neighborhood was later called Rašínov (Alois Rašín
Alois Rašín
Alois Rašín was a Czech economist and politician.Rašín was born into a family of farmers. After gymnasium he continued his schooling with the study of law at the Charles University in Prague. Here he became active in politics, and a leader in the radical students movement...
was finance minister of Czechoslovakia, assassinated in 1923). In consists solely of private houses in art-deco style. In 1930's another neighborhood was inaugurated in the western periphery, called Za Rakováčkem. It also features almost exclusively private residential houses.
Borek is formerly independent village located ca.2 km east of Rokycany. In 1960 Borek came under the jurisdiction of Rokycany. The Borecký rybník lake is most notorious landmark of this district. In 20th century the built-up area of Borek expanded amalgamating the village with Rokycany.
Demography
In 19th century Rokycany's population quickly expanded pushing the number of inhabitants towards 5,000 in 1880. In the wake of Long DepressionLong Depression
The Long Depression was a worldwide economic crisis, felt most heavily in Europe and the United States, which had been experiencing strong economic growth fueled by the Second Industrial Revolution in the decade following the American Civil War. At the time, the episode was labeled the Great...
(economic slowdown of 1870's which affected the economy of Austria-Hungary) the growth stopped. In late 1890's however population began to expand again, only to halt during WWI. In post-1918 era Rokycany grew rapidly. In late 1930's this growth was further spurred by influx of ethnic Czech refugees from Sudetenland
Sudetenland
Sudetenland is the German name used in English in the first half of the 20th century for the northern, southwest and western regions of Czechoslovakia inhabited mostly by ethnic Germans, specifically the border areas of Bohemia, Moravia, and those parts of Silesia being within Czechoslovakia.The...
. In 1939 Rokycany's population touched 10,000 mark briefly. After WWII many citizens of Rokycany left the town for border regions from where the ethnic Germans were expelled. From 1950's new wave of massive growth started, pushing the town's population past 10,000 in mid 1950's and past 15,000 in 1980's. Demographic maximum was reached in 1989 with more than 16,000 inhabitants. Since that time the population dropped to ca.14,000 as a result of economic a social transition and also of separation of 3 villages from the community of Rokycany. The population of Rokycany currently stands at 14,705, as of 1 January 2008 (as stated by the Czech ministry of Interior, http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/sprava/informat/cetnost/obce/pocet_obcane_leden08.xls) or 14,062 (as stated by the Czech statistical office, http://www.czso.cz/csu/2008edicniplan.nsf/t/4E003F7AD9/$File/13010803.xls).
Ethnically, Rokycany has been a predominately Czech settlement since Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. The German minority accounted for no more than couple of dozens individuals. In 1938 the town's population was boosted by influx of ethnic Czechs fleeing the border regions of Czechoslovakia which had been ceded to Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
. After 1945 most ethnic Germans were expelled
Expulsion of Germans after World War II
The later stages of World War II, and the period after the end of that war, saw the forced migration of millions of German nationals and ethnic Germans from various European states and territories, mostly into the areas which would become post-war Germany and post-war Austria...
. The ethnic mix of Rokycany was in the post-WWII era enriched by Romas (Gypsies) and Slovaks.
Famous People from Rokycany
- John of RokycanJohn of RokycanJohn of Rokycan, also known as Jan of Rokycany, in Czech language Jan Rokycana, Jan z Rokycana and Jan z Rokycan was a Hussite theologian, archbishop of Prague and a key figure in Bohemian church history.- Life :In his youth, John of Rokycan entered the Augustinian monastery in Rokycany...
, (ca. 1396, Rokycany – 1471, Prague), archbishop of Prague - Adolf KrausAdolf KrausAdolf Kraus was a lawyer and Jewish leader.At the age of 15 he left the Bohemian town of Rokycany where he had grown up and emigrated to the United States. He worked on a farm and in a factory, later settling in Chicago where he completed his law studies before becoming a lawyer...
, (1850, BloviceBloviceBlovice is a town in the Pilsen Region of the Czech Republic. It lies on the River Úslava, some to the South-East from the regional capital of Pilsen....
– 1928, USA), Chicago lawyer, B'nai B'rithB'nai B'rithB'nai B'rith International |Covenant]]" is the oldest continually operating Jewish service organization in the world. It was initially founded as the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith in New York City, on , 1843, by Henry Jones and 11 others....
officer, lived in Rokycany - Čestmír ŘandaČestmír ŘandaČestmír Řanda was a Czechoslovak film actor. He appeared in over 65 films and television shows between 1960 and 1986.-Selected filmography:* Bílá spona * Hvězda zvaná Pelyněk...
(1923, Rokycany – 1986, Prague), Czech actor - Jana Preissová (born 1948, Plzeň), Czech actress, lived in Rokycany
- Věra BíláVera BíláVěra Bílá is a Romani musician and singer of Romani folk and pop songs. She is the lead singer of Kale, and has performed songs in Romani, Czech, and Slovak....
, (born 1954, Rokycany), World musicWorld musicWorld music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
Romani singer - Jaroslav ŠpačekJaroslav SpacekJaroslav Spacek is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
(born 1974, Rokycany), Montreal CanadiensMontreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
(National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
) defenseman - George Uhl (born 1970, Rokycany), Czech straight pornographic actor
See also
- John of RokycanJohn of RokycanJohn of Rokycan, also known as Jan of Rokycany, in Czech language Jan Rokycana, Jan z Rokycana and Jan z Rokycan was a Hussite theologian, archbishop of Prague and a key figure in Bohemian church history.- Life :In his youth, John of Rokycan entered the Augustinian monastery in Rokycany...
- Borek
- VršíčekVršícekVršíček is a hill in the Czech Republic located in Rokycany District, Plzeň Region some km northwest of Rokycany and south of village of Litohlavy. On the summit of Vršíček there is a baroque chapel of the Visitation of Virgin Mary , which was built in 1744-47. The construction of the chapel was...
- Radnice coal basinRadnice coal basinRadnice coal basin was a relatively small area around Radnice and Břasy in the Rokycany District of the Czech republic where coal depots existed and coal mining developed in the 19th century. During 20th century the coal reserves were largely depleted and mining stopped in this region...
- BrdyBrdyBrdy are hills in the Czech Republic, forming a long massif stretching for cca.60 km from Prague in the direction of southwest. The northern section of the Brdy is called "Hřebeny" and features one narrow ridge . The Brdy proper starts south of the Litavka river gorge and consists of several...