Rokycany

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Rokycany
Town
Town Hall
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Plzeň
District	Rokycany
Commune	Rokycany
River	Klabava
Center	Masarykovo náměstí
- elevation	362 m (1,188 ft)
- coordinates	49°44′33″N 13°35′44″E / 49.7425, 13.59556
Area	30.98 km² (11.96 sq mi)
Population	14,299 (2006)
Density	462 /km² (1,197 /sq mi)
First mentioned	1110
Mayor	Jan Baloun
Timezone	CET (UTC+1)
- summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	337 01
Location in the Czech Republic
Wikimedia Commons: Rokycany
Website: www.rokycany.cz

Rokycany (IPA: [ˈrokɪtsanɪ]), (German: Rokitzan), is a town in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It lies 17 km (11 mi) to the East from the region capital of Pilsen on the confluence of the River Klabava and the Holoubkov Brook (Czech: Holoubkovský potok). Alternatively, the Holoubkovský potok is referred to as the Borecký potok and the section of the Klabava River down to the confluence as the Padrťský potok. There is another smaller brook (Rakovský potok or Rakováček) in the western part of the town.

The town is located in the lowland, 362 meters above sea-level, bordered by hilly woodlands, especially the Brdy mountains to the east (highest elevation - Tok, 865 meters above sea-level) or the Radeč massif - 718 meters above sea-level.

Rokycany is also the seat of the Municipality with Extended Competence and Municipality with Commissioned Local Authority.

[edit] Demography

In 19th century Rokycany´s population quickly expanded pushing the number of inhabitants towards 5,000 in 1880. In the wake of Long Depression (economic slowdown of 1870´s which affected the economy of Austria-Hungary) the growth stopped. In late 1890´s however population began to expand again, only to halt during WWI. In post-1918 era Rokycany grew rapidly. In late 1930´s this growth was further spurred by influx of ethnic Czech refugees from Sudetenland. In 1939 Rokycany´s population touched 10,000 mark briefly. After WWII many citizens of Rokycany left the town for border regions from where the ethnic Germans were expelled. From 1950´s new wave of massive growth started, pushing the town´s population past 10,000 in mid 1950´s and past 15,000 in 1980´s. Demographic maximum was reached in 1989 with more than 16,000 inhabitants. Since that time the population dropped to ca.14,000 as a result of economic a social transition and also of separation of 3 villages from the community of Rokycany. The population of Rokycany currently stands at 14,302, as of 1 January 2007 (as stated by the Czech ministry of Interior, link) or 13,773 (as stated by the Czech statistical office, [1]).

Source: unofficial pages of Rokycany by David Borek

Ethnically, Rokycany has been a predominately Czech settlement since Middle Ages. The German minority accounted for no more than couple of dozens individuals. In 1938 the town's population was boosted by influx of ethnic Czechs fleeing the border regions of Czechoslovakia which had been ceded to Nazi Germany. After 1945 most ethnic Germans were expelled. The ethnic mix of Rokycany was in the post-WWII era enriched by Romas (Gypsies) and Slovaks.

[edit] History

The place was inhabited since Stone Age. Celtic and early Slavic settlements were discovered. First written document mentions Rokycany in 1110. At that time it was a village owned by the Bishop of Prague and major Bohemian and German noblemen met here for diplomatic talks with Emperor Henry V. In 1295 a stockade fortifications in Rokycany are mentioned (probably defending the district around the main church). Major changes occurred in the 14th century when the village finally transformed into town and new western part of the settlement with rectangular grid was added. In 14th century Rokycany also had the main church rebuilt in Gothic style and by 1399 system of town fortification is mentioned. Rokycany took an active role in Hussite movement. Master John of Rokycan (1397—1471), Archbishop of Prague, active during Hussite Wars was born here. In 1406 Rokycany obtained city rights. In 16th century new prosperity of the town started. Rokycany was given rights as free King's city in 1584 making it self-administered entity. The prosperity came to an abrupt end with the Thirty Years' War. Rokycany was repeatedly afflicted by various armies, most notably by Swedish army led by Banner who completely burned the town. By the end of the war Rokycany´s population stood at merely 774. Another period of prosperity started in 18th century. Town was partially destroyed by fire in 1757 (52 housed damaged) and completely destroyed by another fire in 1784 (260 houses damaged). After the fire town-hall and main church had to be rebuilt as well as most of the private houses. Thanks to favorable economic conditions of the residents the post-1784 renewal proceeded rather quickly. In 19th century crafts and industry became main source of Rokycany´s economy. The traditional iron-ore mining and processing industry was strengthened and linked with coal mining industry in nearby Mirošov (Rokycany District) basin. In 1862 Rokycany was connected via railway with Prague and Plzeň. Industrial development continued for most of the 20th century. Population soared (from 4,187 in 1869 to more than 16,000 in late 1980´s) and town expanded with new neighborhoods, some of them inspired by concepts of Garden city movement (Rašínov neighborhood in the southern outskirts). On May 7th 1945 Rokycany was liberated by the American army which stopped its eastward advance here meeting with the allied Soviet troops in the eastern part of the town (creating so-called Demarcation line). In the post-WWII era, the development of the town was carried out in line with the ruling communist regime. The new massive construction activity focused on uniform tenement houses, from 1960´s built with concrete panels (so-called "panelák"). The local industry was further expanded and the life of the town was strongly influenced by strong army garrison (located in two barracks built in 1899 and 1933 respectively). In 1960 neighboring village Borek was merged with Rokycany, in 1980 another three rural communities (Kamenný Újezd (Rokycany District), Litohlavy, Svojkovice (Rokycany District)) joined Rokycany (however all 3 have separated in 1990´s)[2]

[edit] Geography

Rokycany is officially divided into 4 districts, namely „Střed“ (Center), „Nové Město“ (New Town), „Plzeňské předměstí“ (Plzeň Suburb) and “Borek”. Střed encompasses the historical core of the town with two main squares, main church of Panna Marie Sněžná and town-hall. Since 1992 the historical core of Rokycany has been declared protected zone in order to protect the architecture. The border of this district largely follows the path of former town´s fortification. The medieval walls are still standing in several short sections. On the southern side the walls have been replaced by an representative avenue (Jiráskova ulice) with several major public buildings such as “sokolovna” (Sokol organization headquarters) from 1903, new railway-station from 1931, gymnázium (grammar-school) from 1905 or municipal bank from 1933. Nové Město is by far most populous district surrounding the historical core from north, east and south. It evolved from traditional Pražské předměstí suburb which was located on both banks of the Klabava river along the road to Prague (Pražská ulice) and Nerudovo náměstí square. In post WWII era most of the old suburb was demolished and replaced by several housing projects. With the population growth the built-up area of Nové Město expanded in all directions. There are thus several distinct modern neighborhoods. Práchovna is located in the southeastern section of Rokycany on the banks of the Klabava River. Several industrial estates and colony of cheap tenement houses for local workers from early 20th century form most of Práchovna. Páclovna is situated along the road to Prague on Rokycany´s eastern outskirts. It mainly consists of private houses, the Demarcation line memorial is located here (commemorating the meeting of American and Russian troops that occurred here in 1945), Osecký vrch lies in the north along the road to the village of Osek. In 1957 large hospital was built here. There are large parks covering the surrounding slopes (Husovy sady and Kalvárie) and large complex of town swimming-pool and football stadium. Jižní předměstí covers territory south of the Prague-Plzeň railway. It consists of several industrial zones and populous housing projects from 1950´s and 1970´s. The military barracks built in 1933 have been converted into a residential and industrial zone recently. Plzeňské předměstí forms western part of Rokycany. It started in medieval era as a small cluster of rural houses adjoining Rokycany’s historical core. In early 17th century Protestant church Nejsvětější Trojice was built here, soon after taken by Catholics. In 19th century Plzeňské předměstí quickly grew along the road to Plzeň (Plzeňská ulice), mainly industrial development was later accompanied by residential houses. In 1920´s massive housing project started on Rokycany´s southern outskirts. The new neighborhood was later called Rašínov (Alois Rašín was finance minister of Czechoslovakia, assassinated in 1923). In consists solely of private houses in art-deco style. In 1930´s another neighborhood was inaugurated in the western periphery, called Za Rakováčkem. It also features almost exclusively private residential houses. Borek is formerly independent village located ca.2 km east of Rokycany. In 1960 Borek came under the jurisdiction of Rokycany. The Borecký rybník lake is most notorious landmark of this district. In 20th century the built-up area of Borek expanded amalgamating the village with Rokycany.

Main church in Rokycany	Main square in Rokycany	Town hall and main square in Rokycany	Chapel in Borek, Rokycany
Railway station from 1931, Rokycany	1970´s style houses in Rokycany	1930´s army barracks in Rokycany

[edit] Famous People from Rokycany

John of Rokycan, (b. ca.1396 in Rokycany, d.1471 in Prague), archbishop of Prague

Adolf Kraus, (b. 1850 Blovice, d.1928 USA), Chicago lawyer, B'nai B'rith officer, lived in Rokycany

Čestmír Řanda (b.1923 in Rokycany, d.1986 Prague), Czech actor

Jana Preissová (b.1948 in Plzeň), Czech actress, lived in Rokycany

Buffalo Sabres (National Hockey League) defenseman Jaroslav Špaček was born in Rokycany in 1974.

Věra Bílá, (b.1954 in Rokycany), World music Romani singer

[edit] Resources

[edit] External links

• (Czech) Municipal website
• History of the town, its current state