Dejvice

Building of the General Staff of the Czech Army

Dejvice is a historical community, a municipal quarter of the Prague 6 district of Prague, Czech Republic. Its history can be traced back to the late Roman era. Dejvice is known for its appeal to the upper middle class, and as a university district. It is also the home to Dukla Prague, one of the most successful football clubs of Czechoslovak era.

History

While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact time in which Dejvice came into existence, archeologists have uncovered a pit that dates back to the late Roman Era.^[1] This find is the first preserved archeological site in Prague history.^[1] Other than this not much is known until the 10th century when Devjice, and other towns in the current Prague 6 municipality, came under the auspices of the Břevnov Monastery.^[1] The history of modern Dejvice begins in the 1920s.^[1] During this time the city was an affluent neighborhood of Prague. Orchards were planted on the surrounding hills.^[2] Václav Havel lived in Dejvice during this time.^[2] The tram line was established incorporate with a trolleybus by wartime. The build up of the quarter was also kept on. From the Victory Square it sequentially shifted to the North to Podbaba neighborhood.^[1] During the war there was also an International Hotel built, it was completed in 1950 and was intended to mimic the architecture of Moscow.^[3] After the fall of communism it was renamed the "Hotel Crowne Plaza".^[3] The town surrounds a square entitled, Vítězné náměstí (The Victorious square).^[4] In the year of 1978 the metro line was extended to Dejvice (station was named Leninova, now it is Dejvická).^[5] Today's motorway, called Evropska also appeared that time. That time it was also called Leninova. The airport, united with the center of Prague, and that newly built neighborhood, by a sequence of primary streets.^[4]

Character of the Quarter

Dwelling houses in Dejvice

The architecture of Dejvice was greatly influenced by Czech architect Antonin Engle during the 1920s, who developed new housing settlements that still stand today.^[6] Dejvice are relatively luxurious residential quarter, catering to the educated elite.

Dejvice is a university city, with students abounding.^[4] Between the Evropska and Yugoslavian Partizan streets the university campus begins and the Deans office of the Eelctronics Department of the Prague Technology University, as well the construction and architecture departments. There is also VŠCHT (Institute of Chemical Technology) and a theology seminary.^[1][4]

Hanspaulka league

The Hanspaulka League, which was the most popular amateur football league in Czechoslovakia, originated in Dejvice.^[1] It began in 1972 with eight teams.^[7] The league has now grown to over 790 teams.^[7] The league is broken into eight divisions based on skill and quality of play. Each game features six players per side and are played on small pitches.^[7] The league began four years after the Soviet suppression of the Prague Spring as a means of self-determination for the Czechs.^[7] It was staffed by many of the intellectuals and students who participated in the 1968 events.^[7]

Transport

Tram from Dejvice to the center

Dejvice is linked with the center of Prague by tram lines (2, 8, 20). The metro line A terminated in Dejvice, and gets to the heart of the city in minutes.^[5] Ruzyně International Airport is accessible from Dejvice by a bus # 119, which travels down Evropská in 10 minutes.^[4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Metropolitan District Prague 6". Prague 6 Municipal District Authority. http://www.praha6.cz/eng/. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
2. ^ ^{a b} McRae (1997) p. 2
3. ^ ^{a b} Wilson, Neil (2007). "Prague". Lonely Planet. http://books.google.com/books?id=bdF-QfBb_RUC&pg=PA247&dq=prague+lonely+planet#PPA113,M1. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Dejvicka". Prague Metro. http://www.angrenost.cz/metro/a/de.php. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Prague Metro, Czech Republic". Railway-Technology.com. http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/prague_metro/. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
6. ^ Kohout (1999) p. 14
7. ^ ^{a b c d e} Velinger, Jan (2002-06-14). "Prague's Hanspaulka Liga-Football League". Radio Praha. http://www.radio.cz/en/article/29042. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 

Notes

• Kohout, Michal; Slapeta, Vladimir; Templ, Stephan (1999). Prague-20th century architecture. Wien, Austria: Springer-Verlag Wien New York. ISBN 3211832297. http://books.google.com/books?id=_xMqvnzG1WsC&pg=PA203&dq=dejvice&lr=#PPA14,M1. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
• McRae, Robert Grant (1997). Resistance and Revolution. Ontario, Canada: Calreton University Press. ISBN 0886293162. http://books.google.com/books?id=B-Nj0s5wRhkC&pg=PA2&dq=dejvice&lr=#PPA2,M1. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 

Coordinates: 50°06′N 14°22′E / 50.1°N 14.367°E / 50.1; 14.367