Pelhřimov

Pelhřimov
Pelhřimov
Town
	Masarykovo Square
	Flag Coat of arms
	Pelhřimov Location in the Czech Republic
	Coordinates: 49°25′53″N 15°13′24″E / 49.43139°N 15.22333°E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Vysočina
District	Pelhřimov
Founded	1225
Government
• Mayor	Ladislav Med
Area
• Total	95.28 km2 (36.79 sq mi)
Elevation	494 m (1,621 ft)
Population (2021-01-01)
• Total	16,012
• Density	170/km2 (440/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	393 01
Website	www.mestopelhrimov.cz

Pelhřimov (Template:Lang-de) is a town in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 16,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument reservation.

Administrative parts

The following 26 villages are administrative parts of Pelhřimov:

Benátky
Bitětice
Čakovice
Chvojnov
Hodějovice
Houserovka
Janovice
Jelcovy Lhotky
Kocourovy Lhotky
Lešov
Lipice
Myslotín
Nemojov
Ostrovec
Pejškov
Pobistrýce
Radětín
Radňov
Rybníček
Skrýšov
Služátky
Starý Pelhřimov
Strměchy
Útěchovičky
Vlásenice
Vlásenice-Drbohlavy

Benátky, Houserovka, Janovice and Ostrovec, Lešov, Nemojov and Radňov, and Vlásenice-Drbohlavy form three exclaves of the municipal territory.

Geography

Pelhřimov's municipal territory of about 95 square kilometres (37 sq mi) is one of the largest for a town in the Czech Republic. The town is located approximately halfway between Prague and Brno.

Pelhřimov is known as "the Gateway to the Highlands" because of its location in the westernmost tip of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. It is located in the valley of the small river Bělá, which flows through the urban area. Typical for the area is a large number of small ponds.

History

Early history

The earliest settlement, in the first half of the 13th century, was probably near St. Vitus church and in Hrnčiřská street. In 1289 it was raided by Vítek of Hluboká. In 1290 King Wenceslaus II granted Bishop Tobiáš of Bechyně a concession to renovate the town and fortify it with ramparts. The town was first settled mainly by German colonists. Gradually Czechs established themselves as the majority. In the Hussite Wars, Pelhřimov sided with the Hussites and even provided one of their spiritual leaders, Mikuláš (Nicholas) Biskupec of Pelhřimov.

The favourable position of the town, on the borderline of the domain of the Rožmberks and of the lords of Kunštát, was important after the upheavals ended and the reconciliation of the lords began. In 1446-1450 Pelhřimov was chosen as the venue of land diets (parliaments or deliberative councils), attended in person even by King Jiří of Poděbrady. Silver mining, in the vicinity of Křemešník, helped the expansion of Pelhřimov. Many crafts flourished in the town: drapers and clothiers, weavers, dyers, gingerbread makers and brewers. In 1434 the town passed into the hands of the Lords Trček of Lípa, who sold the estate in 1550 to Adam Říčanský of Říčany, who built a castle in the immediate vicinity of the town ramparts.

However, the lords of Říčany did not reside at the castle for long. Adam's son Karel systematically interfered with the rights of the burghers and was involved in endless disputes with them. Finally, in 1572, the town bought its freedom. In 1596 Emperor Rudolf II elevated Pelhřimov to a royal town. The repressions that followed the Uprising of the Estates interrupted the promising expansion of the town. The disaster was completed by a huge fire in 1646, which laid waste most of the town's buildings. Paradoxically, Pelhřimov should now be grateful for the fires, because they contributed to the town's present homogeneity. Another devastating fire ravaged the town in 1766; thanks to it, the town houses are uniformly Renaissance-Baroque.

19th and 20th century

The national revival affected Pelhřimov, just as it affected all other towns in the country. Some of the patriotic associations founded during that period continue their activities until today. The Záboj choir was founded in 1862, Sokol in 1865, the Readers' circle in 1874 and Rieger, an amateur dramatic group, in 1894.^{[citation needed]} The salt house built in 1707 was reconstructed as the National House and is today the Pelhřimov Theatre.^{[citation needed]}

The 19th century brought an expansion of industry, principally brush-making, hosiery and the production of agricultural implements. In addition to these industries there was a long tradition of brewing. Beer has been brewed in Pelhřimov since 1552, when the town was granted the privilege of doing so.

Demography

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1869	8,387	—
1880	8,689	+3.6%
1890	8,738	+0.6%
1900	8,894	+1.8%
1910	9,938	+11.7%

Year	Pop.	±%
1921	10,079	+1.4%
1930	10,259	+1.8%
1950	9,198	−10.3%
1961	9,754	+6.0%
1970	11,559	+18.5%

Year	Pop.	±%
1980	14,239	+23.2%
1991	16,480	+15.7%
2001	16,590	+0.7%
2011	16,232	−2.2%
2021	16,012	−1.4%

Source: Historical lexicon of municipalities of the Czech Republic^[2]

Economy

Pelhřimov is an industrial centre, represented by the food industry, engineering and consumer goods manufacture.

Food processing — especially crops grown and produced in the district — is common. Škrobárny Pelhřimov is a potato starch factory that was founded in 1871.^[3] A production plant of MADETA a.s., the largest dairy company in the country, is located here since 1942. The branch is focused on box milk.^[4]

The largest employer based in the town is Agrostroj, an engineering company which manufactures farm machinery. Other notable industrial companies include Spojené kartáčovny (SPOKAR), a major producer of brushes and toothbrushes, RIMOWA CZ, a manufacturer of [luggage]]s, and FIA ProTeam, a manufacturer of painting tools.

The largest non-industrial employer is the hospital.

Transport

Pelhřimov lies on the Jihlava – Tábor railroad. There are two railway stations, Pelhřimov and Vlásenice.

Pelhřimov lies at the intersection of two primary roads: I/19 Plzeň – Březnice – Tábor – Pelhřimov and I/34 České Budějovice – Jindřichův Hradec – Pelhřimov – Humpolec – Havlíčkův Brod – Svitavy.

Culture

In recent years, the local economy has been focused on tourism — Festival of records^{[clarification needed]} and curiosities was founded, which was typical of Pelhřimov. Related to this is the Museum of Records and Curiosities, and also the "Waterfront Records and curiosities", a modified waterfront trail, along the river Bělá, with information panels of various interesting records. The trail begins at the Museum of Records and Curiosities, and ends at the House of good days^{[clarification needed]}, containing the exposition of Czech Golden Hands — a unique features of the matches (e.g. small statues made of matches, musical instruments etc.).

Sport

There is a large sports complex with an ice stadium, athletic track, football pitch, tennis courts and swimming pools (including indoor).

Education

There are four primary schools, a special school, a grammar school (founded in 1871), a business academy, a hotel school, vocational secondary schools with a boarding houses, and other secondary schools.

Sights

Chateau of the Lords of Říčany

Originally, it may have been a Gothic construction of a tower-like character probably from the 15th century. Some remnants have been preserved in the so-called Gothic Hall on the ground floor of the chateau, showing that was part of the municipal fortification system. New parts were added in 1550–1551, when Pelhřimov was owned by Adam Říčanský of Ricany. After the great fire of 1561, this part of the chateau was incorporated into the extensive Renaissance structure, having two storeys.

After the fire of 1682, significant modifications were made in the Baroque style. The changes also involved the Salt Gate, and a new staircase and jail were added. In 1707 a salt-house was built, which is now the Municipal Theatre, in the immediate vicinity of the chateau. The great fire of 1766 destroyed the chateau, too. After the reconstruction which was begun the next year, the chateau gained the appearance, which has survived to this day in its original form (with the exception of some minor decorative alterations). Between the years 1849 and 1907 it was the seat of the District Court, since 1908 it has housed exhibitions of the District Museum.

Church of St. Bartholomew

This Gothic building was founded in the late 13th or the beginning of the 14th century. Since 1589 the church exterior shell has been defaced with graffiti. The main Baroque altar and depiction of Calvary, designed by František Bílek, is inside the church.

Church of Saint Vitus

It is the oldest church in Pelhřimov and the former parish church. It was originally built in the Gothic style, which is still evident in the presbytery. During the Hussite wars, in 1422, Pelhřimov fell into the hands of the Taborites, and Utraquist masses were served here. The vaulting and walls of the church interior show scenes from the life and martyr's death of St. Vitus, as well as allegories of Faith, Hope and Charity. Nowadays the church is used as an exhibition and concert hall.

Church of the Holy Cross (Calvary)

In 1671 the burgher and alderman Jan Kryštof Blažejovský and his spouse Dorota had a small chapel built near the town. The structure consisted of an ante-chapel, chapel and a replica of the Holy Sepulchre. In 1865 the town council decided to demolish the structure and build a new church. Dean P. Vojtěch Holý had been raising donations for several years. The project by the local builder J. Štěcha was implemented between 1883 and 1886.^{[citation needed]} The church built in the Neogothic style faces the town with a high tower.

Chapel of the Virgin Dolores

In 1658 the burgrave (mayor) of Pelhřimov, Jan Eusebius, had a devotional pillar erected on this site. After Pelhřimov had experienced cases of alleged miraculous healing, accredited to the picture of Virgin Dolores placed on the pillar, a chapel was built on the site by burgher Tobiáš Grötzel in 1710–1714. The pilgrimage site was closed in the reign of Josephine. The crypt of the chapel used to be a burial place for members of burgher families. The town cemetery was transferred here from the Church of Saint Vitus in 1787 and was used up to 1906.

Gatehouses

The Lower (Jihlava) Gatehouse and the Upper (Rynárec) Gatehouse were built in the 16th century as parts of the fortification system. The Lower Gatehouse is a 5-storeyed construction, 36 metres high, that today houses the Museum of Records and Curiosities, which was opened in 1994 as a unique institution of this kind in Central Europe and is run by the "Dobrý den" Agency.

Fountain with the statue of St. James the Great

The fountain in the square was first mentioned in 1546. The present-day appearance of the fountain dates back to the year 1848. On top of the column stands a statue of St. James the Great.

Municipal Theatre

The original building from 1707 was a salt-house. In 1766 it burned down during a great fire and the salt-house was moved to the granary. In 1882 foundations were laid for the town theatre (The National House).

Šrejnarovský House

The Šrejnarovský House on the Masarykovo Square was built in the Renaissance style in 1614. Currently, it houses a tourist information centre and the Memorial Hall of the Lipský Family, which members are one of the most notable local natives.

Fara House

This house has Baroque façade and a mansard roof. In 1913–1914 it was rebuilt under a project by the architect Pavel Janák in the Cubist style.

Drechsel's Villa

It was built in the Cubist style in 1912–1913 by the local builder Karel Postránecký, under the supervision of architect Pavel Janák for his counsellor and district hetman^{[clarification needed]} Jan Drechsel.

Ruins of St. Anna

This chapel was founded in 1699 and originally was dedicated to the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Under the communist regime it was demolished; now there are only the perimeter walls.

Lookout tower

From the 30-metre-high tower there is a great view on Pelhřimov and the surrounding landscape. There is a belfry, with historic photographs of Pelhřimov, in the top part of the tower. The bells together weigh over 4 tonnes.

Museum of Bugaboos

A unique display of bugaboos occurring in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands in the past as well as at present. The exhibits are mostly made of wax and are life-size. The Museum is in the cellars of the former Burgrave's House, No. 17, Masaryk Square.

Museum of Records

The Museum of Records is one of the few institutions of its kind on the Continent, and the only one in Central Europe. It is housed in an historical gatehouse, which in the past served as part of the fortifications of the town, and was called Jihlavská brána (The Lower Gatehouse or Jihlava Gatehouse).

Thanks to collectors and makers of all possible and impossible things, an unrivalled collection, unseen anywhere else in the world, has been collected in the five newly reconstructed storeys of the exhibition. There are mini-sized as well as giant objects, strong men and tumblers, makers of endless puzzles, and dare-devils jumping from 80 metres.^[5]

Golden Czech hands

The exhibition located in "The House of Good Days" is unique in the world. Tomáš Korda from Vrchlabí has spent 40 years of his life making these objects. During an unbelievable 63,310 hours of work, he has made dozens of buildings using an incredible 820,215 matches and match-heads.^{[citation needed]}

Vysočina Museum

Vysočina Museum Pelhřimov focuses primarily on issues of regional history and ethnography. The first section of the exhibition is devoted to Josef Šejnosta (sculptor and medalist) and his son Zdeněk Šejnosta (sculptor and restorer). The second section focuses on middle class life in the 19th century. The third section is devoted to the town hall and town jail.

Notable people

Vojtěch Benedikt Juhn (1779–1843), painter
Josef Dobiáš (1888–1970), historian and classical philologist, member of the Academy of Sciences
Lubomír Lipský (1923–2015), actor
Oldřich Lipský (1924–1986), film director and screenwriter
František Vyskočil (born 1941), neurophysiologist
Jan Kůrka (born 1943), sports shooter, Olympic winner
Jiří Novotný (born 1983), ice hockey player
Tomáš Sivok (born 1983), football player
Martin Frk (born 1993), ice hockey player
Libor Šulák (born 1994), ice hockey player