Plasy (Czech pronunciation: [ˈplasɪ]; German: Plass) is a town in Plzeň-North District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,000 inhabitants. It is known for its former monastery of the same name, which is protected as a national cultural monument.

Plasy
Aerial view
Aerial view
Flag of Plasy
Coat of arms of Plasy
Plasy is located in Czech Republic
Plasy
Plasy
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°56′5″N 13°23′26″E / 49.93472°N 13.39056°E / 49.93472; 13.39056
Country Czech Republic
RegionPlzeň
DistrictPlzeň-North
Founded1144
Government
 • MayorEva Kantor Pořádková
Area
 • Total57.13 km2 (22.06 sq mi)
Elevation
350 m (1,150 ft)
Population
 (2023-01-01)[1]
 • Total2,993
 • Density52/km2 (140/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
331 01
Websitewww.plasy.cz

Administrative parts edit

Villages of Babina, Horní Hradiště, Lomnička, Nebřeziny and Žebnice are administrative parts of Plasy.

Geography edit

Plasy is located about 19 kilometres (12 mi) north of Plzeň. It lies in the Plasy Uplands. The highest point is the hill Spálená hora at 514 m (1,686 ft) above sea level. The Střela River flows through the town.

History edit

 
Plasy Monastery

The foundation of the town is connected with the foundation of the Cistercian monastery. The Plasy Monastery was founded in 1144 by then Prince Vladislaus II. The monastery experienced the greatest development during the reign of King Wenceslaus I, and its property gradually grew to cover 50 surrounding villages. The development of the monastery ended during the Hussite Wars, when it was burned down in 1421.[2][3]

The entire 15th and 16th centuries mean a period of deep decline. After the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, the monastery's financial situation improved, most of it former properties were returned to it, and the construction of new buildings on the monastery grounds began.[2]

The monastery was abolished in 1785 by decree of Emperor Joseph II. In 1826, the monastery building with the whole estate was purchased by Klemens von Metternich, who is buried here in the family tomb.[2][3]

Demographics edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18692,700—    
18802,777+2.9%
18902,623−5.5%
19002,623+0.0%
19102,891+10.2%
YearPop.±%
19212,896+0.2%
19303,305+14.1%
19502,783−15.8%
19612,886+3.7%
19702,836−1.7%
YearPop.±%
19802,768−2.4%
19912,691−2.8%
20012,621−2.6%
20112,572−1.9%
20212,690+4.6%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport edit

Plasy lies on the railway line heading from Plzeň to Žihle and Most.[6]

Sights edit

 
Metternich family tomb
 
Former ironworks of Saint Clement

The monastery complex is the most significant landmark of Plasy, protected as a national cultural monument. It contains the former monastery, Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Baroque granary with the Royal Chapel of Saints Wenceslaus and Mary Magdalene, and abbot's residence. In 1661–1666, the church was rebuilt in the early Baroque style. The new convent building was built in 1711–1740 by Jan Santini Aichel and after his death by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer. Today the complex is open to the public and offers guided tours.[3][7]

The former cemetery Church of Saint Wenceslaus was built in the Gothic style and baroque rebuilt in 1690. After the abolition of the monastery, it was modified into the family tomb of the Metternich family.[8]

Notable people edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2023". Czech Statistical Office. 2023-05-23.
  2. ^ a b c "Historie" (in Czech). Město Plasy. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  3. ^ a b c "History of the Plasy Monastery". Plasy Monastery. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  4. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Plzeň-sever" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 11–12.
  5. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  6. ^ "Detail stanice Plasy" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  7. ^ "Cisterciácký klášter" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  8. ^ "Hrobka Metternichů" (in Czech). Město Plasy. Retrieved 2022-09-26.

External links edit