Úvaly

For the hill region, see Siberian Uvaly.
Úvaly
Town
Arnošta z Pardubic Square
Arnošta z Pardubic Square
Flag of Úvaly
Flag
Coat of arms of Úvaly
Coat of arms
Úvaly is located in Czech Republic
Úvaly
Úvaly
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°4′25″N 14°43′49″E / 50.07361°N 14.73028°E / 50.07361; 14.73028
Country Czech Republic
RegionCentral Bohemian
DistrictPrague-East
First mentioned1290
Government
 • MayorMarkéta Rydvalová
Area
 • Total
10.97 km2 (4.24 sq mi)
Elevation
253 m (830 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total
7,504
 • Density680/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
250 82
Websitewww.mestouvaly.cz

Úvaly (German: Auwal) is a town in Prague-East District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 7,500 inhabitants.

Etymology

The name means 'valleys' in Czech. It was originally used in the singular, but was gradually changed to the plural.[2]

Geography

Úvaly is located about 15 kilometres (9 mi) east of the centre of Prague. It lies in the Prague Plateau. The highest point is at 298 m (978 ft) above sea level. The Výmola stream flows through the town. There are several small fishponds in the municipal territory.

History

The first written mention of Úvaly is from 1290. The settlement lied on the important trade route Prague–Český Brod–Kutná Hora, which helped to its growth. In 1654 it was first mentioned as a market town. In 1845, the railway Prague–Olomouc via Úvaly was built, and the population of Úvaly grew up from hundreds to thousands. In 1969, Úvaly became a town.[3]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1869818—    
1880981+19.9%
18901,130+15.2%
19001,292+14.3%
19101,820+40.9%
YearPop.±%
19212,332+28.1%
19304,346+86.4%
19504,693+8.0%
19614,999+6.5%
19704,892−2.1%
YearPop.±%
19804,893+0.0%
19914,604−5.9%
20014,690+1.9%
20116,112+30.3%
20217,166+17.2%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport

The I/12 road from Prague to Kolín passes through the town.

Úvaly is located on the railway line Prague–Kolín.[6]

Sights

Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary

The main landmark is the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. It was built on the site of a chapel founded in 1342.[7]

A valuable technical monument is the Úvaly Railway Bridge. It was built in 1844–1845 and was part of the first steam railway in Bohemia, which connected Prague and Olomouc in 1842–1845.[8]

Notable people

Music group Divokej Bill was founded here.

References

  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ Profous, Antonín (1957). Místní jména v Čechách IV: S–Ž (in Czech). p. 460–461.
  3. ^ "Historie" (in Czech). Město Úvaly. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  4. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  5. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  6. ^ "Detail stanice Úvaly" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  7. ^ "Památky" (in Czech). Město Úvaly. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  8. ^ "Železniční most" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Úvaly.