Nová Paka (Czech pronunciation: [ˈnovaː ˈpaka], German: Neupaka) is a town in Jičín District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 9,000 inhabitants.

Nová Paka
Town square with Church of Saint Nicholas
Town square with Church of Saint Nicholas
Flag of Nová Paka
Coat of arms of Nová Paka
Nová Paka is located in Czech Republic
Nová Paka
Nová Paka
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°29′23″N 15°30′49″E / 50.48972°N 15.51361°E / 50.48972; 15.51361
Country Czech Republic
RegionHradec Králové
DistrictJičín
First mentioned1357
Government
 • MayorPavel Bouchner
Area
 • Total28.68 km2 (11.07 sq mi)
Elevation
427 m (1,401 ft)
Population
 (2023-01-01)[1]
 • Total9,035
 • Density320/km2 (820/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
509 01
Websitewww.munovapaka.cz

Administrative parts edit

The villages of Heřmanice, Kumburský Újezd, Podlevín, Přibyslav, Pustá Proseč, Radkyně, Štikov, Studénka, Valdov, Vlkov, Vrchovina and Zlámaniny are administrative parts of Nová Paka.

Etymology edit

The name Paka appeared in its initial form as Paká. The meaning of the adjective paká is unclear. It probably meant 'opposite' (opačná in modern Czech), and probably referred to its location on the shady slopes, away from the sun. Already from the 14th century, two settlements (Stará Paka – 'old Paka' and Nová Paka – 'new Paka') were distinguished.[2]

Geography edit

Nová Paka is located about 13 kilometres (8 mi) northeast of Hradec Králové and 37 km (23 mi) northwest of Hradec Králové. It lies in a hilly landscape of the Giant Mountains Foothills. The highest point is at 568 m (1,864 ft) above sea level.

History edit

The first written mention of Nová Paka is from 1357 with regard to the installation of new vicar to the Church of Saint Nicholas. During these times the town was called Mladá Paka ("Young Paka").[3]

In 1563, the almost entire town was destroyed by fire. In 1586, the plague killed approximately half of the citizens. Another 450 people died of plague in 1625. In 1643, during the Thirty Years' War, the town was pillaged by the Swedish army. A fire in 1666 destroyed the northern part on the town square.[4]

Demographics edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18697,270—    
18807,097−2.4%
18907,352+3.6%
19008,141+10.7%
19109,230+13.4%
YearPop.±%
19218,568−7.2%
19308,949+4.4%
19508,072−9.8%
19618,398+4.0%
19709,043+7.7%
YearPop.±%
19808,842−2.2%
19919,380+6.1%
20019,299−0.9%
20119,140−1.7%
20218,530−6.7%
Source: Censuses[5][6]

Economy edit

Nová Paka is known for the Nová Paka Brewery.

Transport edit

The I/16 road (the section from Trutnov to Jičín) runs through the town.

Nová Paka is located on the railway line Kolín–Trutnov. The town is served by two train stations, Nová Paka and Nová Paka město.[7]

Sights edit

 
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
 
Sucharda's House

The Church of Saint Nicholas was first mentioned in 1357 and rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style in 1872. The Marian Holy Trinity column is from 1716 and is the oldest statue in the town. On the square there is a fountain from 1814 and monument to Jan Hus from 1898.[3]

Thanks to the legend of finding a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary, the Minim monastery was established in the second half of the 17th century. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built in 1709–1724 and made Nová Paka a pilgrimage site. After the religious reform of Joseph II, the monastery was closed in 1785. From 1872, the premises served as a hospital. Today it houses social services.[3]

Cemetery Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows comes from 1700–1709. The wooden Greek Catholic Church of the Transfiguration of Jesus and Saint Nicholas was transferred from Carpathian Ruthenia in 1930.[3]

Sucharda's House is a Neorenaissance house from 1895–1896. It belonged to the Sucharda family, from which many notable sculptors, woodcarvers and painters came. Nowadays there is a historic exposition and a gallery of artists from the region.[3]

Notable people edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2023". Czech Statistical Office. 2023-05-23.
  2. ^ Profous, Antonín (1951). Místní jména v Čechách III: M–Ř (in Czech). p. 318.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Z minulosti Nové Paky" (in Czech). Město Nová Paka. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  4. ^ "Sochy na náměstí" (in Czech). Město Nová Paka. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  5. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Jičín" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 11–12.
  6. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  7. ^ "Detail stanice Nová Paka" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2024-03-07.

External links edit