Opatovice nad Labem

Opatovice nad Labem is a municipality and village in Pardubice District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,600 inhabitants.

Opatovice nad Labem
Municipality
Aerial view
Flag
Coat of arms
Opatovice nad Labem
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°8′44″N 15°47′26″E
Country Czech Republic
RegionPardubice
DistrictPardubice
First mentioned1073
Government
 • MayorPavel Kohout
Area
 • Total12.01 km2 (4.64 sq mi)
Elevation
225 m (738 ft)
Population
 (2021-01-01)[1]
 • Total2,643
 • Density220/km2 (570/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
533 45
Websitewww.opatovicenadlabem.cz

Administrative parts
Town hall and Church of Saint Lawrence

The village of Pohřebačka is an administrative parts of Opatovice nad Labem.

Etymology

The name Opatovice is derived from opatství, i.e. "abbey". It indicated a village in the vicinity of the monastery that was founded here.[2]

Geography

Opatovice nad Labem is located between the cities of Pardubice and Hradec Králové. It lies on the Elbe river. There are several flooded quarries used for recreational purposes. The largest of them is Opaťák in the northern part of the municipality.[2]

The Opatovice Canal flows through the village. It was built in the 15th century to supply the large pond system and is a cultural technical monument. Today it is 26 kilometres (16 mi) long.[3]

History

Archaeological research confirmed that mild climate and fertile surroundings of the Elbe had been exploited by ancient peoples. The first written mention of Opatovice nad Labem is from 1073, when Benedictine monks founded here a monastery. The Opatovice Monastery was finished in 1086 and existed until 1421, when it was burned down by the Hussites.[2]

In the 15th century, the village was shortly owned by Diviš Bořek of Miletínek and by George of Poděbrady, and in 1491, it was acquired by the Pernštejn family. The Pernštejns built here the first weir on the Elbe and the Opatovice Canal to feed the system of breeding fish ponds. In 1560, however, they lost the manor for financial reasons and it was acquired by the royal chamber. During the Thirty Years' War, Opatovice was looted by the Swedish army.[2]

Economy
Opatovice Power Plant

Opatovice nad Labem is known for its large power station that was first activated in 1959.[4]

Transport

The municipality is known for commissioning one of the largest road junctions in the country.[2]

Sights

The Church of Saint Lawrence was built in the Gothic style in the second half of the 13th century and rebuilt in 1421. The current appearance is after the Baroque reconstructions in the second half of the 18th century.[5]

Notable people

References
  1. "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2021". Czech Statistical Office. 2021-04-30.
  2. "Historie" (in Czech). Obec Opatovice nad Labem. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  3. "Opatovický kanál – středověké vodní dílo" (in Czech). Kudy z nudy. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  4. "Více než půlstoletí zásobování teplem" (in Czech). Elektrárny Opatovice, a.s. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  5. "Kostel sv. Vavřince" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
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