Osek (Teplice District)

Coordinates: 50°37′21.76″N 13°41′9.08″E / 50.6227111°N 13.6858556°E / 50.6227111; 13.6858556

Osek
Town
Osek Monastery
Coat of arms
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Ústí nad Labem
District	Teplice
Commune	Teplice
Municipality	Duchcov
Elevation	307 m (1,007 ft)
Coordinates	50°37′21.76″N 13°41′9.08″E / 50.6227111°N 13.6858556°E / 50.6227111; 13.6858556
Area	42.379 km2 (16.36 sq mi)
Population	4,934 (2006-04-27)
Density	116 / km2 (300 / sq mi)
Founded	1196
Mayor	Jiří Hlinka
Timezone	CET (UTC+1)
- summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	417 05
Location in the Czech Republic
Wikimedia Commons: Osek
Statistics: statnisprava.cz
Website: www.osek.cz

Osek (German: Ossegg) is a small town in the Czech Republic that lies at the foot of the Krušné Hory in the Teplice District in the Ústí nad Labem Region, in the northwest of Bohemia.

Geography and demographics

In 2006 the town's population was 4,934. Osek is located only approximately 8 km east of the town of Teplice and approximately 15 km from the Czech-German border.

History

Osek is notable for a Burgundian Gothic monastery, originally built as the 3 knave "Church of the Assumption of Our Lady" between 1207–1220 in the style of a Roman Basilica, by Cistercian monks who first arrived in Osek in 1199.^[1]. The monastery complex grew over time to become the economic and social hub of the region. It was rebuilt, in the top baroque style by the architect Octavius Broggio, from 1712 till 1718 when the interior of the monastery church was decorated with fresco paintings by Václav V. Reiner and a new convent, library and chapels were constructed. When first installed its church organ was one of the largest in Europe. The chapter hall of the old convent features a unique Early Gothic reading counter, carved from stone with an ornate base in the shape of a knot, dated in 1240.

Situated on the Dobrotiva Formation, Osek lies is a rich area for fossils from the Ordovician period, particularly trilobites^[2]. Salesius Hill in Osek is an interesting "rock city" of huge sandstone blocks, pillars and fissures.^[3] This unusual topography has inspired work^[4] by artists such as the painter Jan Tichý. Parts of the film Anna proletářka^[5] were filmed on location in Osek and Osek railway station^[6].

Hussite wars

The medieval castle Rýzmburk (Riesenburg) belonged to its founders, the powerful family from Rýzmburk until 1398; the ownership then shifted to the margraves of Meissen. It was one of the strongest fortresses in the Czech lands and during the Hussite wars was considered impenetrable. During the wars the monastery was twice burned down. Much of the monasteries property was also sold by emperor Zikmund to fund further military expeditions against the Hussites.

Present

Today Osek is a known tourist destination in the region. Every year there is a festival where many of the historical items are present for viewing and practically the entire town is transformed into a fair. In March 2007 the Czech Republic started selling stamps with a picture of the Osek monastery on it. In the last few years the town has been undergoing intense maintenance and reconstruction to further increase tourism.

Gallery

• 

  Klášterní square

• 

  Local shopping centre

• 

  South part of Osek

• 

  Church in Osek Monastery

References

1. ^ Osek: The Cistercian monastery - Czech republic
2. ^ Pangaea Fossils World Trilobites
3. ^ Mikuláš, Radek. "Features of sandstone palaeorelief preserved: The Osek area, Miocene, Czech Republic". Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:4g7gOK1weCAJ:158.64.59.222/symposium/sandstone/ferrantia/c14_Mikulas.pdf+Osek+czech+republic&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=16&gl=au&client=firefox-a. Retrieved 2008-03-19. 
4. ^ http://hotely-on-line.cz/galerie/tichy/jt_10e.html
5. ^ Anna proletárka (1953)
6. ^ Anna proletárka (1953) - Filming locations

Literature

• Mario Feuerbach: Das Zisterzienserkloster Ossegg. Baugeschichte und Baugestalt von der Gründung 1196 bis in das Jahr 1691, Heimbach/Eifel 2009. ISBN: 978-3-8107-9306-5.

External links

• Location of Osek
• Osek Monastery
• Osek Website (Czech and German)
• Osek Municipality Flag