Kostelec nad Černými lesy (German: Schwarzkosteletz), is a town in Prague-East District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,800 inhabitants. The town is part of the Prague metropolitan area. The town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.
Kostelec nad Černými lesy | |
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Town | |
![]() Aerial view of the castle in the town | |
![]() ![]() Kostelec nad Černými lesy Location in the Czech Republic | |
Coordinates: 49°59′39″N 14°51′20″E | |
Country | ![]() |
Region | Central Bohemian |
District | Prague-East |
First mentioned | 1344 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Jan Černý |
Area | |
• Total | 17.70 km2 (6.83 sq mi) |
Elevation | 391 m (1,283 ft) |
Population (2022-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 3,773 |
• Density | 210/km2 (550/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 281 63 |
Website | www |
The village of Svatbín is an administrative part of Kostelec nad Černými lesy.
The name refers to a fortified church (in Czech kostelec), which was built in a deep (black) forest on the Prague–Kouřim route. The name Kostelec soon evolved to Černý Kostelec ("Black Kostelec") and in 1920 the name was changed to its current form, meaning "Kostelec upon the Black Forests".[2]
The first written mention of Kostelec is from 1344, when King John of Bohemia exchanged the castle and settlement of Kostelec for Náchod. In 1498 the settlement was promoted to a market town.[2]
The Kostelec nad Černými lesy Castle is the main landmark of the town. The castle was mentioned already in 1325. It 1549 it was severely damaged by a fire and repaired in the Renaissance style. In 1759, baroque modifications were made.[3] Today it is owned by Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and it is used for social and business purposes. The neighbouring Church of Saint Adalbert is connected with the castle by a covered corridor.[4]
The Church of the Holy Guardian Angels is located on the Smiřických Square in the historic centre. It is a baroque building from 1735–1737. In 1889–1894, a pseudo-baroque prismatic tower was added.[5]
Other sights on the square include Pottery Museum and Memorial to Jan Hus and Jan Žižka.
Kostelec nad Černými lesy is twinned with:[6]
Towns, market towns and villages of Prague-East District | |
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