Náchod
Encyclopedia
Náchod (ˈnaːxot; is a town in Czechia, in the Hradec Králové Region
. Náchod lies in the valley of the river Metuje
, in northern parts of the upland Podorlická pahorkatina. The town has a castle, and a brewery which until 2009 was owned by the town itself.
called Branka. The first written note dates back to 1254.
. In 1544 Zikmund Smiricky bought the castle area and rebuilt the castle to the Renaissance style
. Then the castle was confiscated and the House of Trcka gained possession of the castle. In 1634 Adam Erdman Trcka was murdered in Cheb
and the castle was confiscated again.
In this time Ottavio Piccolomini came to Náchod and started embattle the castle. From 1632 Piccolomini started convert the castle to the baroque style
under the direction of C. Lurago
and G. Pieroni.
After Ottavio’s second marriage with Marie Benigna, they relocated to Vienna where Ottavio died when he fell off a horse in 1656.
In 1639 the castle was damage by the Swedish army. Then the Náchod castle was embattled again. In 1721 a storm damaged the main castle tower and this was an opportunity to start another renovation. In 1751 the granary was built and the French garden was founded over the castle moat.
Since the end of the 18th century the castle was an important cultural centre (for example, theatre performances or concerts were there four times a week).
Duchess Wilhelmine of Courland, and of Sagan (Czechised name version: Kateřina Vilemina Zaháňská), this historic person features in the novel Babicka (The Grandmother)
by Božena Němcová
) inherited the Náchod manor in 1800 from her father Peter von Biron, Duke of Courland, and of Sagan
.
In 1866, during Austro-Prussian War
, the Nachod castle was a military hospital.
Presently, we can visit the castle interior. There are interesting collections from Prince Ottavio Piccolomini's time (for example tapestries). Also, there are Gothic cellars or the observation tower to see.
was born here, as were the architect Jan Letzel
, scientist Petr Skrabanek
, the writer Josef Škvorecký
and the football player Vratislav Lokvenc
.
with: Halberstadt
, Germany
Kudowa-Zdrój
, Poland
Kłodzko, Poland
Warrington
, England
Mirfield
, England
Hradec Králové Region
Hradec Králové Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located in the north-eastern part of its historical region of Bohemia. It is named after its capital Hradec Králové....
. Náchod lies in the valley of the river Metuje
Metuje
Metuje is a river in north-eastern Czech Republic. It is long and flows to Labe River. The Metuje flows through several towns, including Teplice nad Metují, Náchod and Nové Město nad Metují.- References :*...
, in northern parts of the upland Podorlická pahorkatina. The town has a castle, and a brewery which until 2009 was owned by the town itself.
History
Náchod was founded in 14th century by knight Hron of Načeradice, who founded a castle on a strategical place, where local trade road reaches the defileDefile (geography)
Defile is a geographic term for a narrow pass or gorge between mountains or hills. It has its origins as a military description of a pass through which troops can march only in a narrow column or with a narrow front...
called Branka. The first written note dates back to 1254.
Castle
Hron from Náchod founded Náchod castle in the mid 13th century. The Náchod castle has a rounded tower and palace, which are typical of the bergfrit/keep typeKeep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
. In 1544 Zikmund Smiricky bought the castle area and rebuilt the castle to the Renaissance style
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
. Then the castle was confiscated and the House of Trcka gained possession of the castle. In 1634 Adam Erdman Trcka was murdered in Cheb
Cheb
Cheb is a city in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic, with about 33,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the river Ohře , at the foot of one of the spurs of the Smrčiny and near the border with Germany...
and the castle was confiscated again.
In this time Ottavio Piccolomini came to Náchod and started embattle the castle. From 1632 Piccolomini started convert the castle to the baroque style
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
under the direction of C. Lurago
Carlo Lurago
Carlo Lurago was an Italian architect, who was most active in Prague.He was born in Pellio Superiore in the Val d'Intelvi, near Como. At the age of 23, as an already an accomplished plasterer, he moved to Prague...
and G. Pieroni.
After Ottavio’s second marriage with Marie Benigna, they relocated to Vienna where Ottavio died when he fell off a horse in 1656.
In 1639 the castle was damage by the Swedish army. Then the Náchod castle was embattled again. In 1721 a storm damaged the main castle tower and this was an opportunity to start another renovation. In 1751 the granary was built and the French garden was founded over the castle moat.
Since the end of the 18th century the castle was an important cultural centre (for example, theatre performances or concerts were there four times a week).
Duchess Wilhelmine of Courland, and of Sagan (Czechised name version: Kateřina Vilemina Zaháňská), this historic person features in the novel Babicka (The Grandmother)
The Grandmother
The Grandmother is a novel written by Czech writer Božena Němcová in 1855. It is her most popular work and is regarded as a classic piece of Czech literature. This most frequently read book of the Czech nation was published more than 300 times in the Czech language alone and translated into 21...
by Božena Němcová
Božena Nemcová
Božena Němcová was a Czech writer of the final phase of the Czech National Revival movement.-Biography:...
) inherited the Náchod manor in 1800 from her father Peter von Biron, Duke of Courland, and of Sagan
Peter von Biron
Peter von Biron was the last Duke of Courland from 1769 to 1795.Peter was born in Jelgava as the son of Ernst Johann von Biron, future Duke of Courland, and his wife Benigna von Trotha. When 16 years old, he was forced to follow his family into the Siberian exile. In 1769, Peter was given the...
.
In 1866, during Austro-Prussian War
Austro-Prussian War
The Austro-Prussian War was a war fought in 1866 between the German Confederation under the leadership of the Austrian Empire and its German allies on one side and the Kingdom of Prussia with its German allies and Italy on the...
, the Nachod castle was a military hospital.
Presently, we can visit the castle interior. There are interesting collections from Prince Ottavio Piccolomini's time (for example tapestries). Also, there are Gothic cellars or the observation tower to see.
Náchod Brewery
Náchod town has a brewery built in 1872, which sells a range of beers under the Primátor brand name. The town authorities agreed in February 2009 to sell the brewery for €5.3m to Liberec Investment Fund (LIF), the owners of Svijany and Rohozec breweries.Notable people
The former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Josef TošovskýJosef Tošovský
Josef Tošovský is a Czech economist and was governor of Czech National Bank from 1993 to 2000. From 16 December 1997 to 17 July 1998 he was the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic in a caretaker government.Tošovský graduated from the University of Economics, Prague...
was born here, as were the architect Jan Letzel
Jan Letzel
Jan Letzel was a Czech architect.-Biography:Jan Letzel was born in the town of Náchod, Bohemia. The son of a hotel owners Jan Letzel and his wife Walburga Letzel, née Havlicek...
, scientist Petr Skrabanek
Petr Skrabanek
Petr Skrabanek was a leading doctor and professor of medicine. Author of several books and numerous articles, he was considered a leading scientist...
, the writer Josef Škvorecký
Josef Škvorecký
Josef Škvorecký, CM is a leading contemporary Czech writer and publisher who has spent much of his life in Canada. He and his wife were long-time supporters of Czech dissident writers before the fall of communism in that country...
and the football player Vratislav Lokvenc
Vratislav Lokvenc
Vratislav Lokvenc is a former Czech football striker who last played for FC Ingolstadt 04.- Career :Before joining Salzburg, Lokvenc played for Hradec Králové , Sparta Prague , Kaiserslautern , and VfL Bochum of the German Bundesliga...
.
Twin towns — Sister cities
Náchod is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: Halberstadt
Halberstadt
Halberstadt is a town in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and the capital of the district of Harz. It is located on the German Half-Timbered House Road and the Magdeburg–Thale railway....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Kudowa-Zdrój
Kudowa-Zdrój
Kudowa-Zdrój is a town situated in the foothills of the Stołowe Mountains in the southwestern part of Poland, in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, about 400 m above sea level. It has a population of about 10,000...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
Kłodzko, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
Warrington
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Mirfield
Mirfield
Mirfield is a small town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. It is located on the A644 road between Brighouse and Dewsbury...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Sources
- Petr David and Vladimir Soukup, Velka cestovni kniha - Hrady, zamky a klastery, Soukup & David s.r.o., Prague 2003, ISBN 80-86050-75-0
External links
- Municipal website (cs, de, en, pl)