Rychnov nad Kněžnou

Rychnov nad Kněžnou (Czech pronunciation: [ˈrɪxnof ˈnat kɲɛʒnou]; German: Reichenau an der Knieschna) is a town in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 11,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

Rychnov nad Kněžnou
Town
Aerial view
Aerial view
Flag of Rychnov nad Kněžnou
Flag
Coat of arms of Rychnov nad Kněžnou
Coat of arms
Rychnov nad Kněžnou is located in Czech Republic
Rychnov nad Kněžnou
Rychnov nad Kněžnou
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°9′47″N 16°16′28″E
Country Czech Republic
RegionHradec Králové
DistrictRychnov nad Kněžnou
First mentioned1258
Government
 • MayorJan Skořepa (ODS)
Area
 • Total34.99 km2 (13.51 sq mi)
Elevation
320 m (1,050 ft)
Population
 (2023-01-01)[1]
 • Total11,178
 • Density320/km2 (830/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
516 01
Websitewww.rychnov-city.cz

Administrative parts
Staré Square with the former town hall
Rychnov nad Kněžnou Castle

Villages of Dlouhá Ves, Jámy, Lipovka, Litohrady, Lokot, Panská Habrová and Roveň are administrative parts of Rychnov nad Kněžnou.

Geography

Rychnov nad Kněžnou is located about 31 kilometres (19 mi) east of Hradec Králové. The western part of the municipal territory lies in the Orlice Table and includes most of the built-up area. The eastern part lies in the Orlické Foothills and includes the highest point of Rychnov nad Kněžnou at 458 m (1,503 ft) above sea level.

The town is situated on the Kněžna River. The Liberský and Javornický streams joins the Kněžna in the municipal territory. Near the town is the Les Včelný Nature Park.

History

The first written mention of Rychnov nad Kněžnou is in a deed of Ottokar II of Bohemia from 1 February 1258, where Heřman of Rychnov was mentioned. In 1561, Rychnov was promoted to a royal town by Ferdinand I. The town hall in Rychnov was first documented in 1596.[2]

In 1640, the Rychnov estate was bought by the Kolowrat family. During the Thirty Years' War, the town was badly damaged. In 1676, František Karel I Kolowrat had a new castle built here. The castle was gradually expanded by other family members.[3]

Until 1918, the town was part of Austria-Hungary and head of the Reichenau District, one of the 94 Bezirkshauptmannschaften in Bohemia.[4]

In 1950, several municipalities were joined to Rychnov nad Kněžnou. On 1 January 1990, four parts of Rychnov nad Kněžnou became three separate municipalities (Jahodov, Lukavice and Synkov-Slemeno).[2]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
18696,548—    
18806,493−0.8%
18906,449−0.7%
19006,882+6.7%
19106,936+0.8%
YearPop.±%
19216,365−8.2%
19306,425+0.9%
19507,207+12.2%
19617,248+0.6%
19707,936+9.5%
YearPop.±%
198010,069+26.9%
199111,552+14.7%
200111,736+1.6%
201111,241−4.2%
202110,588−5.8%
Source: Censuses[5][6]

Transport

Rychnov nad Kněžnou is the starting point of a short railway line of local importance heading to Častolovice and Týniště nad Orlicí.[7]

Sights
Former synagogue

Rychnov nad Kněžnou is known for the Baroque Kolowrat's castle. It contains rich collection of arts and books, and it includes the Museum and Gallery of Orlické Mountains and a castle park. The church next to the castle is Church of the Holy Trinity, which is known for the third largest bell in the country. The church is used for religious and cultural purposes.[8]

The historic town centre is formed by Staré Square. It comprises preserved burgher houses and Neoclassical former town hall from 1802–1804, which serves today as the tourist information centre. Near the square there is the Church of Saint Gall. It was built in the late 13th century and repaired in the pseudo-Gothic style in 1893. The bell tower was built in the pseudo-Romanesque style in 1870–1871.[9]

The former synagogue contains Memorial of Karel Poláček, the most notable local native, and a Jewish museum.[8]

Notable people

Twin towns – sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic

Rychnov nad Kněžnou is twinned with:[10]

References
  1. "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2023". Czech Statistical Office. 2023-05-23.
  2. "Historie města Rychnova nad Kněžnou" (in Czech). Město Rychnov nad Kněžnou. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  3. "Historie" (in Czech). Rychnov nad Kněžnou Castle. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  4. Die postalischen Abstempelungen auf den österreichischen Postwertzeichen-Ausgaben 1867, 1883 und 1890, Wilhelm Klein, 1967
  5. "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Rychnov nad Kněžnou" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 13–14.
  6. "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  7. "Detail stanice Rychnov n.Kněžnou" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  8. "Informace o městě" (in Czech). Město Rychnov nad Kněžnou. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  9. "Rychnov nad Kněžnou, kostel sv. Havla" (in Czech). Noc kostelů. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  10. "Miasta partnerskie" (in Polish). Kłodzko. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
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