Stráž pod Ralskem (until 1946 Vartenberk; German: Wartenberg (am Rollberg)) is a town in Česká Lípa District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,800 inhabitants.

Stráž pod Ralskem
5. května Square
5. května Square
Flag of Stráž pod Ralskem
Coat of arms of Stráž pod Ralskem
Stráž pod Ralskem is located in Czech Republic
Stráž pod Ralskem
Stráž pod Ralskem
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°42′10″N 14°48′4″E / 50.70278°N 14.80111°E / 50.70278; 14.80111
Country Czech Republic
RegionLiberec
DistrictČeská Lípa
First mentioned1283
Government
 • MayorZdeněk Hlinčík
Area
 • Total21.58 km2 (8.33 sq mi)
Elevation
310 m (1,020 ft)
Population
 (2023-01-01)[1]
 • Total3,762
 • Density170/km2 (450/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
471 27
Websitewww.strazpr.cz

Etymology edit

The local castle was called Wartenberg (Warte auf Berge meant "guard on the hill" in German). Vartenberk was the Czech transcription of the name. The modern Czech name of the town 'Stráž means literally "guard", pod Ralskem refers to its location below Ralsko Mountain.[2]

Geography edit

Stráž pod Ralskem is located about 18 km (11 mi) east of Česká Lípa and 18 km (11 mi) southwest of Liberec. It lies in the Ralsko Uplands. The highest point is a hill at 407 m (1,335 ft) above sea level, the mountain of Ralsko is located outside the municipal territory.

The Ploučnice River flows through the town. The town lies on the shores of Stráž pod Ralskem Reservoir. It was built in 1911–1913 and is one of the oldest reservoirs in the country. The reservoir has an area of 75.5 ha (187 acres) and is used for fish farming and water sports. There are also several ponds around the town.[3]

History edit

 
Vartenberk Castle

The first written mention is from 1283, when a castle was built here. The castle and the settlement were called Wartenberg and their owners became known as the Wartenberg family. In 1504, the Wartenberg family sold the estate to Bartholomew Hirschpergar, who rebuilt the Gothic castle to a chateau.[2]

At the end of the 19th century, tourism began to develop and Stráž pod Ralskem turned into a resort. In 1963, uranium ore was found and tourism has partly given way to industrialization.[2] The uranium ore mining ended in 1996.[4]

Demographics edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18691,661—    
18801,597−3.9%
18901,384−13.3%
19001,205−12.9%
19101,117−7.3%
YearPop.±%
19211,066−4.6%
19301,061−0.5%
1950869−18.1%
1961756−13.0%
1970898+18.8%
YearPop.±%
19802,476+175.7%
19913,873+56.4%
20014,028+4.0%
20114,522+12.3%
20214,377−3.2%
Source: Censuses[5][6]

Economy edit

 
Statue of Joseph II in the town

Stráž pod Ralskem is known for its jailhouse. It was created in 1973 from the original hostels that were used for uranium mine workers. It employs around 300 people.[7]

Sights edit

The Church of Saint Sigismund was built in the late Baroque style in 1772–1779. It was built on the site of an old medieval church, first documented in 1363.[8]

The Vartenberk Castle was rebuilt into its present Renaissance form in 1563. After it was damaged by a fire in 1987, it was reconstructed in 2006.[9]

Notable people edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2023". Czech Statistical Office. 2023-05-23.
  2. ^ a b c "Historie města" (in Czech). Město Stráž pod Ralskem. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  3. ^ "Vodní dílo Stráž pod Ralskem" (in Czech). Povodí Ohře. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  4. ^ "Těžba uranu: největší ekologická zátěž v kraji" (in Czech). Českolipský deník. 2011-09-15. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  5. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Česká Lípa" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 13–14.
  6. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  7. ^ "Věznice Stráž pod Ralskem: Základní informace" (in Czech). Prison Service of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  8. ^ "Kostel sv. Zikmunda" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  9. ^ "Zámek Vartemberk" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-04-03.

External links edit