Březina (Rokycany District)

Březina (German: "Bschesina"), village in western Bohemia, Rokycany District, Plzeň region of the Czech republic, situated 7 km north of Rokycany. The village lies at the western slopes of Radeč massif, 483 m. above sea-level. To the west large forest covering most of Radeč massif (its highest elevation being Brno, 718 m.above sea level) starts. In proximity of Březina this highland reaches with Hradiště hill (618 m.above sea level). Another, less prominent forested elevation stretches west of Březina (Přešov hill, 505 m. above sea level), while the environs of Březina proper are forestless. Korečný potok Stream starts in Březina, draining the village's territory and then flowing to the west, towards Berounka river.

History

Ancient Slavic settlement had existed on Hradiště hill. Village of Březina proper was mentioned in 1379. Gothic castle was built here at that time. Since 1660's the Březina castle is reported to be abandoned and the seat of patrimony moved to nearby Radnice. The onwers of patrimony of Radnice resettled to Březina again in early 19th century when a Château of Březina was built in the northeast approaches to the village. The family of "ze Šternberka" resided here. Kaspar Maria von Sternberg, scientist and founder of National Museum (Prague) being most renowned of them. Spacious park with rare species was established around the chateau (in 1929 damaged by frost). [http://www.brezina.rokycansko.cz/index.php?page=historie Obec Březina ] ]

Demography

As to ethnicity Březina was traditionally a Czech settlement. Its population declined for most of 20th century.

Year	1880	1961	1970	1980	1991	2001	2007
Population	664	457	425	354	294	298	315

[http://www.czso.cz/csu/2007edicniplan.nsf/t/3E00353568/$File/13010703.xls] [http://www.czso.cz/xp/edicniplan.nsf/t/E4002BDBFB/$File/13-322603b01.xls]

Famous People from Březina

Kaspar Maria von Sternberg, (b. January 6 1761, d. December 20 1838 in Březina) Bohemian nobleman and scientist

Vlasta Burian (b. April 9 1891 in Liberec, d. January 31 1962 in Prague), Czech actor, used to spend vacations on his cottage in Březina

According to unconrfirmed tradition German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited chateau of Březina.

References

External links

[official web pages http://www.brezina.rokycansko.cz/index.php]