Svojanov

Svojanov is a market town in Svitavy District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 400 inhabitants. The number of inhabitants in the town has been decreasing over the last decades (for example in 1977 the town had 654 inhabitants).[2] Svojanov lies approximately 16 kilometres (10 mi) south of Svitavy, 65 km (40 mi) south-east of Pardubice, and 152 km (94 mi) east of Prague.

Svojanov Castle
Svojanov
Market town
Svojanov as seen from the Svojanov Castle
Flag
Coat of arms
Svojanov
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°37′29″N 16°24′37″E
Country Czech Republic
RegionPardubice
DistrictSvitavy
First mentioned1287
Area
 • Total13.89 km2 (5.36 sq mi)
Elevation
460 m (1,510 ft)
Population
 (2020-01-01[1])
 • Total368
 • Density26/km2 (69/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
569 73, 569 92
Websitemestyssvojanov.cz

History

The town was firstly mentioned in 1287. It has a rich history that is closely connected with the Svojanov Castle. The castle was founded around 1262 by Ottokar II of Bohemia to protect the Trstěnice route, a former trade route of significant importance. The castle's original German name was Fürstenberg. In 1421 the town was besieged by Jan Žižka and between 1642 and 1645 the town was occupied by the Swedes. In December 1798 the Russian legions marched through Svojanov to fight against Napoleon.[3]

Starý Svojanov (Old Svojanov) is supposedly the oldest part of the municipality. An interesting sight is the church of St. Nicholas with a 13th-century chancel and fresco decoration which dates back to the period of Charles IV.

References
  1. "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2020". Czech Statistical Office. 2020-04-30.
  2. Databáze demografických údajů za obce ČR, Available online at http://www.czso.cz/cz/obce_d/index.htm
  3. Městys Svojanov, available onnline at http://www.mestyssvojanov.cz/index.htm


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