Lázně Bělohrad

Lázně Bělohrad
Town
Town square
Flag Coat of arms
Lázně Bělohrad Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°26′51″N 15°35′52″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Hradec Králové
District	Jičín
First mentioned	1557
Government
• Mayor	Alena Kuželová
Area
• Total	28.39 km^2 (10.96 sq mi)
Elevation	291 m (955 ft)
Population  (2024-01-01)[1]
• Total	3,720
• Density	130/km^2 (340/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	507 81
Website	mestolaznebelohrad.cz

Lázně Bělohrad (Czech pronunciation: [ˈlaːzɲɛ ˈbjɛloɦrat] ^ⓘ) is a spa town in Jičín District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,700 inhabitants.

Administrative division

Lázně Bělohrad consists of nine municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):[2]

• Lázně Bělohrad (1,924)
• Brtev (137)
• Dolní Javoří (19)
• Dolní Nová Ves (301)
• Horní Nová Ves (580)
• Hřídelec (97)
• Lány (174)
• Prostřední Nová Ves (317)
• Uhlíře (32)

Geography

Lázně Bělohrad is located about 16 kilometres (10 mi) east of Jičín and 29 km (18 mi) northwest of Hradec Králové. It lies mostly in the Jičín Uplands. The northern part of the municipal territory belongs to the Giant Mountains Foothills and includes the highest point of Lázně Bělohrad, the hill Čihadlo at 516 m (1,693 ft) above sea level. The Javorka River flows through the town. There are several small fishponds around the town.

History

The today's town was created from the settlement Nová Ves, first mentioned in 1354. In the 16th century, a new fortress was established nearby and was called Bělohrad after its white walls (derived from Bílý hrad, meaning "White Castle"). In 1626–1643, it was owned by Albrecht von Wallenstein. During the rule of Guillaume de Lamboy, the village was settled by German colonists. From 1669, it was again acquired by the Waldstein family. In 1722, it was promoted to a market town by Charles VI, and Nová Ves became a part of Bělohrad.[3]

In 1871, the railway was built and Bělohrad developed rapidly. In 1880, the spa (Czech: lázně, now part of the town's name) was founded, and in 1885, first spa buildings were built.[3]

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 4,262 —     1880 4,370 +2.5% 1890 4,481 +2.5% 1900 4,877 +8.8% 1910 5,269 +8.0%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 4,676 −11.3% 1930 4,734 +1.2% 1950 3,861 −18.4% 1961 4,013 +3.9% 1970 3,858 −3.9%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 3,974 +3.0% 1991 3,823 −3.8% 2001 3,796 −0.7% 2011 3,688 −2.8% 2021 3,581 −2.9%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Economy

The Javorka River in the town

Lázně Bělohrad is known for its sulfur peat spa, which is among the largest employers in the town.[6] The spa focuses on the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, gynecological, neurological and skin diseases.[7]

Transport

Lázně Bělohrad is located on the railway line Kolín–Trutnov.[8]

Sights

Bělohrad Castle and the park

The Bělohrad Castle was a Renaissance castle built around 1550. It was rebuilt around 1721, probably by Jan Santini Aichel.[9] The castle is surrounded by a freely accessible castle park. In the park is located Memorial to Karel Václav Rais, who is the most notable native. The memorial is located in the Empire style building of the former orangery, which dates from 1831. In the memorial there is a museum with an exhibition about the life and work of Rais, and about the history of the town.[10]

The Church of All Saints was first documented in 1354. In 1689–1700, it was replaced by the current early Baroque building.[11]

Notable people

• Karel Václav Rais (1859–1926), novelist

Twin towns – sister cities

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

Lázně Bělohrad is twinned with:[12]

• Belene, Bulgaria

References

1. "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
2. "Public Census 2021 – basic data". Public Database (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2022.
3. "Historie města" (in Czech). Město Lázně Bělohrad. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
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. "Lázeňství" (in Czech). Město Lázně Bělohrad. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
7. "Bělohradské slatinné lázně" (in Czech). Slatinné lázně Lázně Bělohrad. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
8. "Detail stanice Lázně Bělohrad" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
9. "Zámek" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
10. "Památník K. V. Raise v Lázních Bělohrad" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
11. "Kostel Všech svatých s farou" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
12. "Partnerská města" (in Czech). Město Lázně Bělohrad. Retrieved 2020-08-04.

External links

• Official website
• Spa in the town