Hořovice
Hořovice (Czech pronunciation: [ˈɦor̝ovɪtsɛ]; German: Horschowitz, Horvitz, Horowitz) is a town in Beroun District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 6,900 inhabitants.
Hořovice | |
|---|---|
 Palackého Square with the town hall and Church of the Holy Trinity | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Hořovice Location in the Czech Republic | |
| Coordinates: 49°50′10″N 13°54′18″E | |
| Country |  Czech Republic |
| Region | Central Bohemian |
| District | Beroun |
| Founded | Between 1303–1322 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jiří Peřina (ČSSD) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.55 km2 (3.69 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 375 m (1,230 ft) |
| Population (2021-01-01)[1] | |
| • Total | 6,939 |
| • Density | 730/km2 (1,900/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 268 01 |
| Website | www |
Administrative parts
Hořovice is made up of only one administrative part.
History
Hořovice was founded between 1303 and 1322, however archaeological excavations proves existence of an early settlement already in the 10th century.[2] There was a trading post, later rebuilt and expanded into a castle in the Gothic style (the so-called "Old Castle").
Due to frequent fires in the town (in 1540, 1590, 1624, 1639, 1690 and 1694) and reconstructions, almost all documents of Gothic and Renaissance architecture were destroyed.[2]
The construction of the Bohemian Western Railroad in around 1862 contributed to the development of industry. Gradually, the traditional handicraft nail production disappeared, and was replaced by machine production in the newly established factories. Thanks to the rich deposits in the area, iron ore has been processed here since the 14th century. Cast iron has made the area famous since the 18th century. Stoves, grilles, railings, reliefs and busts were cast in the local foundries.[2]
Jewish legacy
One of the most worldwide spread Jewish surname Horovitz/Horowitz/Gurvich/Hurwicz/Hurwitz/Horvitz, etc., originates from the town of Hořovice, which during the late Middle Ages had one of the most substantial Jewish populations in the Bohemian Kingdom and rabbis and communal leaders such Isaiah Horowitz or Shabtai Sheftel Horowitz traced their lineage from this town.[3][4]
Sights
Hořovice is known for the Hořovice Castle. The so-called New Castle was built in 1680–1709. It contains the adjacent French-English park and it is open to the public. The Old Castle houses the Police of the Czech Republic, the Municipal Library and the Information Centre, and offices of a family centre and of the Museum of the Bohemian Karst. A gallery and exposition of Hořovice Region Museum are also located there.[2]
The second historic centre is Palackého Square with its surroundings. The Baroque Church of the Holy Trinity was built in 1674. The town hall is a Neo-Renaissance building from 1905.[2]
Notable people
- Elizabeth of Görlitz (1390–1451), Duchess of Luxemburg
- Josel of Rosheim (1480–1554), advocate of the German Jews, lived here
- Josef Labor (1842–1924), musician
- Alfred Seifert (1850–1901), Czech-German painter, grew up here
- Otto Hönigschmid (1878–1945), chemist
- Libor Capalini (born 1973), modern pentathlete, Olympic medalist
- Jan Prušinovský (born 1979), director and screenwriter
- Jiří Fischer (born 1980), ice hockey player
- Jan Skopeček (born 1980), politician
- Petr Koukal (born 1985), badminton player
References
- "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2021". Czech Statistical Office. 2021-04-30.
- "Historie a památky" (in Czech). Město Hořovice. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- "Origin of Horowitz name". Horowitz Association Israel. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
- "Famous Rabbinical Surnames". JewishGen. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
- "Spolupráce s partnerským městem Gau-Algesheim" (in Czech). Město Hořovice. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
