Choustníkovo Hradiště

Choustníkovo Hradiště (German: Gradlitz) is a market town in Trutnov District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 600 inhabitants.

Choustníkovo Hradiště
Aerial view
Aerial view
Flag of Choustníkovo Hradiště
Coat of arms of Choustníkovo Hradiště
Choustníkovo Hradiště is located in Czech Republic
Choustníkovo Hradiště
Choustníkovo Hradiště
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°25′35″N 15°52′43″E / 50.42639°N 15.87861°E / 50.42639; 15.87861
Country Czech Republic
RegionHradec Králové
DistrictTrutnov
First mentioned1316
Area
 • Total12.49 km2 (4.82 sq mi)
Elevation
286 m (938 ft)
Population
 (2023-01-01)[1]
 • Total625
 • Density50/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
544 42
Websitewww.choustnikovohradiste.cz

Etymology edit

The village was named after the local castle (hradiště), owned by Heřmaň of Choustník.[2]

Geography edit

Choustníkovo Hradiště is located about 15 kilometres (9 mi) south of Trutnov and 24 km (15 mi) north of Hradec Králové. It lies on the border between the Jičín Uplands and Giant Mountains Foothills. The highest point is at 467 m (1,532 ft) above sea level. The stream Kocbeřský potok flows through the market town.

History edit

The Šlosberk Castle was built here at the beginning of the 14th century. The first written mention of the castle is from 1316. In the 1380s, the castle was bought by Heřmaň of Choustník, who had it completely rebuilt. Since then, the castle and the village below the castle were known as Heřmanův Choustník or Choustníkovo Hradiště. The Lords of Choustník owned Choustníkovo Hradiště until the death of Beneš of Choustník in 1410. In 1516, Choustníkovo Hradiště was promoted to a market town.[3]

Until the mid-17th century, Choustníkovo Hradiště often changed owners. In 1645, during the Thirty Years' War, the castle was destroyed by the Swedish army led by Lennart Torstensson. Around 1660, Choustníkovo Hradiště was bought by the Sporck family. Count Jan Sporck had reconstructed the castle and lived there until his death in 1679. His son František Antonín had further reconstructed and extended the castle. In 1705, the castle was rebuilt into a convent. During the Silesian Wars, the castle was badly damaged. The roof was repaired in 1754 and the premises then served as a granary, but at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, the castle quicky fell into disrepair. The remains of the castle and its walls began to be demolished at that time, and the stone was used to build houses in the market town.[3]

Demographics edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18691,029—    
18801,100+6.9%
18901,101+0.1%
1900957−13.1%
1910966+0.9%
YearPop.±%
19211,023+5.9%
1930932−8.9%
1950687−26.3%
1961712+3.6%
1970651−8.6%
YearPop.±%
1980612−6.0%
1991588−3.9%
2001598+1.7%
2011576−3.7%
2021548−4.9%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport edit

The I/37 road (the section from Trutnov to Jaroměř) passes through the market town.

Sights edit

 
Church of the Holy Cross

The main landmark of Choustníkovo Hradiště is the Church of the Holy Cross. It was built in the late Baroque style in 1760–1770. Next to the church is a Baroque rectory from 1723.[6]

Only a few remains of walls, cellars and ditches survived from the castle. The ruin is freely accessible.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2023". Czech Statistical Office. 2023-05-23.
  2. ^ "Městys" (in Czech). Městys Choustníkovo Hradiště. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  3. ^ a b "Hrad Šlosberk" (in Czech). Městys Choustníkovo Hradiště. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  4. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Trutnov" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 5–6.
  5. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  6. ^ "Kostel sv. Kříže s farou" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  7. ^ "Hrad, zřícenina" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2024-02-05.

External links edit