Litovel
Litovel (Czech pronunciation: [ˈlɪtovɛl]; German: Littau) is a town in Olomouc District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has around 9,700 inhabitants. Litovel lies in Upper-Morava Vale, 233 metres above the sea level. The centre of the town is historically significant and is protected by law as Urban monument zone.
Litovel | |
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Town | |
![]() Přemysl Otakar Square | |
![]() Flag ![]() Coat of arms | |
Nickname(s): Venice of Hanakia | |
![]() ![]() Litovel Location in the Czech Republic | |
Coordinates: 49°42′5″N 17°4′32″E | |
Country | ![]() |
Region | Olomouc |
District | Olomouc |
First mentioned | 1270 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Viktor Kohout |
Area | |
• Total | 46.39 km2 (17.91 sq mi) |
Elevation | 233 m (764 ft) |
Population (2020-01-01[1]) | |
• Total | 9,738 |
• Density | 210/km2 (540/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 784 01 |
Website | www |
Administrative parts
Villages Březové, Chudobín, Myslechovice, Nasobůrky, Nová Ves, Rozvadovice, Savín, Tři Dvory, Unčovice and Víska are administrative parts of Litovel.
History
In the Austrian Empire and Austria-Hungary, Litovel was part of the Margraviate of Moravia. In 1918, it became part of independent Czechoslovakia. The period of German occupation lasted from March 1939 until May 1945. During this time, Litovel was administered as a part of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.
Demographics
Year | 1971 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2004 | 2012 | 2020 |
Population (December 31) | 5,884 | 12,611 | 11,644 | 9,926 | 10,068 | 9,835 | 9,738 |
Source: Czech Statistical Office
Sights
Town hall
The town hall lies on Přemysl Otakar Square. The town bought the building in 1557 and the town council moved in. It was reconstructed in 1572 and the town hall tower, 72 metres tall, was built over Nečíz, one of the many branches of river Morava that runs underneath the square.
Plague column
A plague column stands near the town hall. It was constructed by Václav Render in 1724 in memory of the plague epidemic in 1714. The pillar is decorated with seven statues of plaque patrons and The Holy Virgin on the top.
Bridge of Saint John
The Bridge of Saint John (Czech: Svatojánský most) is a stone bridge over the river Morava. It was constructed in 1592, and it is the third oldest bridge in the Czech Republic (and the oldest stone bridge in Moravia).
Economy
There is a brewery in Litovel.[2]
Pro-Ject brand turntables and audio equipment are manufactured in Litovel.
Bellmer (formerly Papcel), a company manufacturing machines for papers processing resides in the northern part of the town. Kimberly-Clark, a paper processing company is located in the town as well.
The town has been nicknamed "La Littovella", because in Tři Dvory, a village which is a part of the town, pasta and cheese is made. Brazzale, the company making cheese, is one of the biggest producers in Central Europe.
Former transmitter
West of Litovel at 49°42'38" N and 17°3'23" E there was a transmitting facility with three guyed masts each 220 metres tall, which were arranged in a row . The facility might have used for jamming programmes of Radio Free Europe on 720 kHz. The masts of the station were demolished, but the buildings are still in place.
Notable people
- Gustav Tschermak von Seysenegg (1836–1927), Austrian mineralogist
- Henry Kulka (1900–1971), architect
Twin towns – sister cities
Littau (Lucerne), Switzerland
Revúca, Slovakia
Wieliczka, Poland
References
- "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2020". Czech Statistical Office. 2020-04-30.
- Original Litovel Premium | Pivovar Litovel | BeerAdvocate
- "Partnerská města" (in Czech). Město Litovel. Retrieved 2020-09-13.