- Letohrad
Geobox | Settlement
name = Letohrad
other_name =
category = Town
image_caption =
symbol = Letohrad_CoA_CZ.svg
etymology =
official_name =
motto =
nickname =
country = Czech Republic
country_
state =
region = Pardubice
region_type = Region
district = Ústí nad Orlicí
district_type = District
commune = Žamberk
municipality = Letohrad
part =
river =
location =
elevation = 372
lat_d = 50
lat_m = 02
lat_s =
lat_NS = N
long_d = 16
long_m = 30
long_s =
long_EW = E
highest =
highest_elevation =
highest_lat_d =
highest_long_d =
lowest =
lowest_elevation =
lowest_lat_d =
lowest_long_d =
area = 23.55
area_round = 2
population = 6283
population_date = 2001
population_density = auto
established = 1308
established_type = First mentioned
mayor = Petr Fiala
timezone =
map_background = Czechia - background map.png
map_caption = Location in the Czech Republic
map_locator = Czechia
commons = Letohrad
statistics =
website = [http://www.mu.letohrad.cz/hlavni.htm www.mu.letohrad.cz]
footnotes =Letohrad (IPA2|ˈlɛtoɦrat; until 1950 called "Kyšperk", _de. Geiersberg) is a town in the
Pardubice Region of theCzech Republic . It has around 6,200 inhabitants. The town lies beneathOrlice Mountains , on the riverTichá Orlice .Villages Červená, Kunčice and Orlice are administrative parts of Letohrad.
History
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
Latin ). Since 1406 it has been called Orlice. The village has an old church building which was burned down during theHussite Wars 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 II have been electrotechnical industry and production of construction materials, as well as agriculture.Panelák s were built to provide housing. After theVelvet Revolution in1989 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 inSwitzerland .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 Mucha (1860-1939), lived and worked in this town in 1934-35
* WriterPetr 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 Hek (1769-1847), early activist ofCzech National Revival , died here
* DiplomatJosef Korbel (1909-1977), father of US politicianMadeleine Albright , was born hereExternal links
* [http://www.letohrad.cz/ Municipal website] (cz)
* [http://www.mu.letohrad.cz/Aj/main.htm Town museum, town history details] (cz, en, de, pl)
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