Svinařov

Svinařov is situated in a valley surrounded by forested slopes, fields and meadows. It lies about 30 km (19 mi) from Prague.

The first written mention of Svinařov dates to 1328, when the village was sold by Bořita of Ředhošt to the Vyšehrad canon. It is probable that there was some kind of settlement much earlier thanks to an archaeological research carried out in a nearby town of Libušín which proved that the area was inhabited in the 6th–7th centuries.[2] The existence of Svinařov was closely connected with the gord of Libušín. As the name suggests (in Czech, Svinařov can mean that there were either swine or vineyards), Svinařov served as a supplier of agricultural products to the gord.[2]

There was a keep built around 1330. The owner of Svinařov, Vyšehrad Chapter House, used to hire out the Svinařov to different tenants till the reign of Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, when the village was sold. Some years later it became a part of property of the Smečno’s noble family of Martinic and it remained so until the 19th century. The family of Martinic gradually became one of the richest and most powerful noble families in the Czech kingdom. In 1885, Svinařov village separated from Libuším and became a sovereign municipality.[2]

Most people there earned their living in agriculture, but this changed in the second half of the 19th century with the discovery of coal in the region. Many people from all around the country started to move in and the village started to expand. Most people were therefore employed in the coal industry until the mines closed down in 2002.[2]

The municipality is connected with the nearby municipalities by bus.

Next to the cemetery, a little chapel with a statue of St. Mary and Jesus from the 17th century are located.

• Václav Mrázek (1925–1957), serial killer

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• Official website