Městys
Encyclopedia
Městys or Městečko is a status conferred on certain municipalities
in the Czech Republic
, lying in terms of size and importance higher than that of obec
(village municipality, commune), but lower than that of město (town
).
Historically a městys was a locality which had the right to stage livestock
markets (and some other "extraordinary" and annual markets), and it is therefore often translated as "market town
". The term went out of official use in Czechoslovakia
in 1954, but was reintroduced in the Czech Republic in 2006. As of 2009, there are 192 localities on which the status of městys has been conferred.
and Heřmanův Městec.
The typical městečko was very small, and a large number were created during the 14th century. Eduard Maur estimated that the average distance between two městečka was 5–20 km.
in 1918, the status was conferred by the Ministerial Council on the basis of a detailed application from the village. According to the "Statistický lexikon obcí v Republice československé" (Statistical lexicon of villages in Czechoslovakia), there were 503 městys in Czechoslovakia in 1930.
After the coup d'état
of February 1948, the Communist ruling authorities ceased using the term by around 1950.
of 1989, there was intense lobbying for the revival of the městys status from the representatives of villages which had previously held the title. On the 27th January 2006 their efforts succeeded; the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic
approved an amendment to the Municipalities Act (Establishment of Municipalities) http://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=4&T=987, which amongst other matters restored the title of městys. The amendment was approved by the Senate of the Czech Republic
on the 29th March, was signed by the president on the 11th May and came into force on 1 July 2006.
Municipalities that had the right to carry the title of městys prior to 17 May 1954 are to inform the chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, so that the restoration of the status can be arranged.
On 10 October 2006, the chairman of the Chamber of Deputies announced the first 108 municipalities which can continue to use the title.
Městyse also existed on the territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
, and before Communism these municipalities often used the terms: (mestechko) (mistechko)
A very approximate equivalent to this title in the former USSR was the "urban-type settlement
" . The criteria for awarding this title differed greatly between members of the federation, and still do in Russia to this day. This category also existed in Poland between 1954 and 1972 .
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, lying in terms of size and importance higher than that of obec
Obec
Obec is the Czech and Slovak word for a municipality . The literal meaning of the word is "commune" or "community". It is the smallest administrative unit that is governed by elected representatives. Cities are also municipalities...
(village municipality, commune), but lower than that of město (town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
).
Historically a městys was a locality which had the right to stage livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
markets (and some other "extraordinary" and annual markets), and it is therefore often translated as "market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
". The term went out of official use in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
in 1954, but was reintroduced in the Czech Republic in 2006. As of 2009, there are 192 localities on which the status of městys has been conferred.
Middle Ages and early modern period
The development of the městečka began in the 14th century, decreed by the reigning monarch primarily on the land of the nobility and church. From the 16th century on, it became possible for settlements with significant springs to get the title městys. The village then became entitled to call itself "městec", resulting in such place names as Městec KrálovéMestec Králové
Městec Králové is a town in the Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic. It is located at around .- External links :...
and Heřmanův Městec.
The typical městečko was very small, and a large number were created during the 14th century. Eduard Maur estimated that the average distance between two městečka was 5–20 km.
Early 20th century
After the creation of CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
in 1918, the status was conferred by the Ministerial Council on the basis of a detailed application from the village. According to the "Statistický lexikon obcí v Republice československé" (Statistical lexicon of villages in Czechoslovakia), there were 503 městys in Czechoslovakia in 1930.
After the coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
of February 1948, the Communist ruling authorities ceased using the term by around 1950.
Late 20th century revival
After the Velvet RevolutionVelvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
of 1989, there was intense lobbying for the revival of the městys status from the representatives of villages which had previously held the title. On the 27th January 2006 their efforts succeeded; the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic
Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic
The Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of the Czech Republic. The seat of the Chamber of Deputies is situated in palaces in Malá Strana, Prague....
approved an amendment to the Municipalities Act (Establishment of Municipalities) http://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=4&T=987, which amongst other matters restored the title of městys. The amendment was approved by the Senate of the Czech Republic
Senate of the Czech Republic
The Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic , usually referred to as Senát, is the upper chamber of the Parliament of the Czech Republic...
on the 29th March, was signed by the president on the 11th May and came into force on 1 July 2006.
Municipalities that had the right to carry the title of městys prior to 17 May 1954 are to inform the chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, so that the restoration of the status can be arranged.
On 10 October 2006, the chairman of the Chamber of Deputies announced the first 108 municipalities which can continue to use the title.
Similar designations in other countries
Many other countries in Europe have similar designations, for example:- Hungary and Slovakia: the Latin title oppidum; from 14th century to 1871 also - lit. "field town"
- Austria: . In other German-speaking areasGerman-speaking EuropeThe German language is spoken in a number of countries and territories in West, Central and Eastern Europe...
the terms Flecken, Marktflecken and Markt are also used. - Denmark:
- Sweden:
- France:
Městyse also existed on the territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
, and before Communism these municipalities often used the terms: (mestechko) (mistechko)
A very approximate equivalent to this title in the former USSR was the "urban-type settlement
Urban-type settlement
Urban-type settlement ; , selyshche mis'koho typu ) is an official designation for a type of locality used in some of the countries of the former Soviet Union...
" . The criteria for awarding this title differed greatly between members of the federation, and still do in Russia to this day. This category also existed in Poland between 1954 and 1972 .
See also
- List of current městys in the Czech Republic (in Czech)
- List of villages in the Czech Republic that could become městys (in Czech)