Osek (Rokycany District)

It is situated 3 kilometres (2 mi) north of the town of Rokycany. The municipality stretches in north-south direction along the road from Rokycany to Břasy. The terrain of Osek and its environs is rather flat, forming a forestless plateau bordered by massif of Radeč (420 metres (1,378 ft)) in the northeast and the valley of the Klabava river in the south with the regional center of Rokycany. Several minor water streams such as Osecký potok and Voldušský potok cross the plateau. Several lakes were established in and around Osek in the past. Today Karásek Pond, Labutinka Pond, Lukotovský Pond and Nový Pond still exist. In the southern section of Osek a hill called Kamýk (718 metres (2,356 ft)) rises. On the top of Kamýk, there are the ruins of an 18th-century manor house. Approximately 2 kilometres (1 mi) northwest from Osek a village of Vitinka is located. This formerly independent community has been merged with Osek. Vitinka consists of several clusters of separate settlements scattered across the area northwest of Osek. There are Vitinka proper, Hudlice, Nový Dvůr and Kolna settlements there.

Osek was mentioned first in 1240 in a document issued by the king Wenceslaus I of Bohemia to the monastery of Plasy, where a man by name of Pudivoj z Oseka (of Osek) is referred to. Monastery in Plasy was founder of Osek. Village was dominated by small gothic castle (later in 16th century rebuilt). In following centuries Osek was owned by several aristocratic families. Beside farming village specialized in iron ore mining and iron production. This local industry utilized energy from the system of artificial lakes in Osek's proximity and charcoal from nearby forests. Iron ore mining continued until 1850. In 19th a 20th centuries Osek remained mostly agricultural community. The village of Vitinka was founded around the year of 1697. It used to be traditionally a part of Osek. In 1924 an independent community of Vitinka was created, however in 1980 Vitinka merged with Osek again.

As to ethnicity, Osek was traditionally a Czech settlement. Within Rokycany District Osek belongs among larger villages with population above 1,000. Thanks to relatively convenient location in proximity of region's major population centers (Rokycany, Plzeň) Osek's population is stable, even with slight trend towards growth.

Population of Osek: