Chotěboř (Czech pronunciation: [ˈxocɛbor̝̊]; German: Chotieborsch) is a town in Havlíčkův Brod District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 9,100 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

Chotěboř
T. G. Masaryka Square
T. G. Masaryka Square
Flag of Chotěboř
Coat of arms of Chotěboř
Chotěboř is located in Czech Republic
Chotěboř
Chotěboř
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°43′15″N 15°40′13″E / 49.72083°N 15.67028°E / 49.72083; 15.67028
Country Czech Republic
RegionVysočina
DistrictHavlíčkův Brod
First mentioned1265
Government
 • MayorOndřej Kozub
Area
 • Total54.05 km2 (20.87 sq mi)
Elevation
515 m (1,690 ft)
Population
 (2023-01-01)[1]
 • Total9,109
 • Density170/km2 (440/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
583 01
Websitewww.chotebor.cz

Administrative parts edit

The villages and hamlets of Bílek, Dobkov, Klouzovy, Počátky, Příjemky, Rankov, Střížov and Svinný are administrative parts of Chotěboř.

Etymology edit

The name is derived from the personal name Chotěbor. There was the Chotěbor's manor, owned probably by the noble Chotěbor of Vchynice.[2]

Geography edit

Chotěboř is located about 14 kilometres (9 mi) northeast of Havlíčkův Brod and 34 km (21 mi) north of Jihlava. It lies in the Upper Sázava Hills. The highest point is the hill Fiedlerův kopec at 615 m (2,018 ft) above sea level. There are several fish ponds on the outskirts of the town.

History edit

The first written mention of Chotěboř is from 1265. Because of the silver mines in the vicinity, King John of Bohemia bought the village. In 1331, he promoted it to a town. It was a royal town until the end of the 15th century, when it was acquired by the Trčka of Lípa family.[3]

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the owners often changed. Vilém Leopold Kinsky built a castle there in 1701–1702. From 1836 to 1948, the castle was owned by the Dobřenský of Dobřenice [cs] family. The castle was returned to their ownership in 1992.[3]

Demographics edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18696,496—    
18806,675+2.8%
18906,254−6.3%
19006,595+5.5%
19107,020+6.4%
YearPop.±%
19217,154+1.9%
19306,825−4.6%
19506,560−3.9%
19617,736+17.9%
19708,111+4.8%
YearPop.±%
19809,407+16.0%
19919,352−0.6%
20019,870+5.5%
20119,345−5.3%
20218,787−6.0%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Economy edit

The largest employer based in the town is GCE company, a manufacturer of welding supplies. It employs more than 500 people.[6]

Transport edit

Chotěboř is located on the railway line PardubiceHavlíčkův Brod.[7]

Sights edit

 
Chotěboř Castle

Chotěboř is known for the Chotěboř Castle. It is a Baroque building with Italian architecture elements. It contains an exposition of the town museum. The castle complex includes Chapel of the Holy Trinity and English style park.[8]

The town square is lined by Neoclassical houses. They were built by reconstruction of the houses destroyed by fire in 1832 and the arcades were walled up. The landmark of the square is the former town hall with a typical clock tower.[8]

The Church of Saint James the Great was built on the site of a Romanesque chapel from the 12th century, which was older than the town. The church was rebuilt many times after frequent fires. Its current form is after the Neo-Gothic reconstruction in 1894–1895.[9]

Notable people edit

Twin towns – sister cities edit

Chotěboř is twinned with:[10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2023". Czech Statistical Office. 2023-05-23.
  2. ^ "Historie města" (in Czech). Information Centre Chotěboř. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  3. ^ a b "O Chotěboři" (in Czech). Město Chotěboř. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  4. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Havlíčkův Brod" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 7–8.
  5. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  6. ^ "Registr ekonomických subjektů". Business Register (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  7. ^ "Detail stanice Chotěboř" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  8. ^ a b "Chotěboř" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  9. ^ "Kostel sv. Jakuba Staršího v Chotěboři" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  10. ^ "Partnerská města" (in Czech). Informační centrum Chotěboř. Retrieved 2021-10-28.

External links edit