Majetín

Majetín is located in the historic region of Moravia. It lies approximately 10 kilometres (6 mi) northwest of Přerov, 13 kilometres (8 mi) south-east of Olomouc, and 220 km (137 mi) east of Prague.

In the 13th century, a water castle existed at the site. Majetín was first mentioned in a 1277 deed, when one Heřman of Moiethin acted as mediator in a border dispute between the abbeys of Hradisko and Velehrad. Majetín was made up of a water castle and hamlet of Starý Majetín.[2]

In 1306, King Wenceslaus III of Bohemia vested Lord Unka of Majetín with extended woodland estates which also were claimed by the Olomouc citizens who founded the village of Grygov. A lengthy conflict arose which was finally decided in 1352 by John Henry, Margrave of Moravia in favour of Olomouc. The Lords of Majetín remained in dispute with their neighbours; during the Hussite Wars they supported the insurgents, whereafter Emperor Sigismund had their castle demolished.[2]

When the line became extinct in 1440, the estates changed hands several times. In 1521 Majetín was purchased by the Moravian governor John III of Pernstein and incorporated into the Lordship of Tovačov.[2]

The present-day municipality was established in 1850. A village church was erected in 1863, dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius; the Majetín parish arose in 1872.

The railway line from Olomouc to Přerov runs through the municipality. The nearest train station is at neighbouring Brodek u Přerova.

The Meitner family, ancestors of Austrian nuclear physicist Lise Meitner (1878–1968), settled in Majetín. Under the rule of Emperor Joseph II in the late 18th century, they adopted the surname Meietheiner, derived from their place of origin.