Jeseník District ( cs, okres Jeseník) is a district (''
okres'') in the
Olomouc Region
Olomouc Region ( cs, Olomoucký kraj; , ; pl, Kraj ołomuniecki) is an administrative unit ( cs, kraj) of the Czech Republic, located in the north-western and central part of its historical region of Moravia (''Morava'') and in a small part of t ...
of the
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. The ...
. Its seat is the town of
Jeseník
Jeseník (; until 1947 Frývaldov (); german: Freiwaldau, pl, Frywałdów) is a spa town in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 11,000 inhabitants.
Administrative parts
Villages of Bukovice and Dětřichov are administrative ...
. With approximately 38,000 inhabitants it is the least populated district of the Czech Republic.
The area called Jeseníky region is in the most northern bulge of
Silesia
Silesia (, also , ) is a historical region of Central Europe that lies mostly within Poland, with small parts in the Czech Republic and Germany. Its area is approximately , and the population is estimated at around 8,000,000. Silesia is split ...
and
Moravia
Moravia ( , also , ; cs, Morava ; german: link=yes, Mähren ; pl, Morawy ; szl, Morawa; la, Moravia) is a historical region in the east of the Czech Republic and one of three historical Czech lands, with Bohemia and Czech Silesia.
The me ...
. It is closed by frontier with
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populous ...
that passes westward through Rychleby Hills and crosses the
Nysa Lowlands to
Zlaté Hory
Zlaté Hory (; until 1948 Cukmantl, german: Zuckmantel) is a town in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,600 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monu ...
. The massif of Hrubý Jeseník in the south represents both the geomorphologic and climatic contrast to the lowlands of
Javorník and
Vidnava
Vidnava (, pl, Widnawa) is a town in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,200 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.
Etymology
The town ...
opened to Poland.
The town of Jeseník, an important crossing connection, connecting Silesia, separated by the mountain ridge from Moravia is the cultural and economic centre of the region. This town is situated at rivers Bělá and Staříč confluence forming a wide and branching valley where the diversity in the composition of nationalities is very diversified.
Nature
Mountains
The landscape relief of the Jeseník region is characteristic with the impressive mountain ridges of
Hrubý Jeseník
Hrubý Jeseník (, , ) is a mountain range of Eastern Sudetes in northern Moravia and Czech Silesia. It is the second highest mountain range in the Czech Republic.
Its best known natural sights include:
*Praděd, its highest mountain
*A powerf ...
, towering as high as above the line of forests, with that flat ridges of Zlatohorská vrchovina (Highland) in the southeast, with the border range of
Golden Mountains and its foothills Žulovská pahorkatina (Hilly Country) protruding from the lowlands at the Czech-Poland frontier in the northeast. All these mountain ridges are considered a part of the extensive unit of the
Eastern Sudeten, now commonly called Jeseníky Mountains.
The uncovered top of Keprník (Mt., 1426 m) with its top rocks upon the
Hrubý Jeseník
Hrubý Jeseník (, , ) is a mountain range of Eastern Sudetes in northern Moravia and Czech Silesia. It is the second highest mountain range in the Czech Republic.
Its best known natural sights include:
*Praděd, its highest mountain
*A powerf ...
, reaches the highest point in the region and on the contrary, the river Vidnavka leaves the country in the lowest point (230 m) at
Vidnava
Vidnava (, pl, Widnawa) is a town in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,200 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.
Etymology
The town ...
. Most of the area is covered by forest. In higher locations there are mountain green-fields and varied flora. Originally broadleaved and fir forests have been recently substituted by the spruce monoculture. Bare spots above the line of forests (about 1330 m) are overgrown with grass and locally with man-planted dwarf pines. There are only few places where remnants of the original growth have been conserved. The deep forests of
Golden Mountains and Žulovská pahorkatina passes into green-fields, pastures with scattered villages and lonely houses.
Rivers
Most of the rivers and streams belong to the area which feeds the Baltic sea with water: the biggest Bělá river with its tributary Staříč, the gold-bearing Černá Opava fed by Rejvíz highmoor bog water and river Vidnávka and its tributaries flowing down
Golden Mountains. Mountain torrents from many waterfalls and cascades, in shallow depressions with impermeable underlying bed highmoor bogs originated. The springs on the hill-sides around the town of Jeseník, with favourable climate, are the critical agents for the rise of the spa resort.
The educational path Rejvíz with the Great Moss Pond and the Nýznerov Waterfalls at the Stříbrný Creek, Vidnavka grass-fields, Ztracené Údolí (Lost Valley) at Vápenná and many other places of interest are worth seeing. There are karst formations in the limestone areas. The caves "Na Pomezí", rich in dropstone decoration and historically valuable caves "Na Špičáku" are also opened for tourists.
Fauna
Many kinds of wild animals live in the forests here: deer, roebuck, wild boar, hare; in the Šerák and Keprník area chamois, imported here from Austria Alpen in the beginning of the century. In the Jeseníky the grouse, hazel hen, black grouse, from birds of prey hawk, buzzard and rare falcon still nest in the region.
Nature protection
In 1969 the Protected Landscape Area (CHKO) Jeseník was founded, comprising the mountain ridge of
Hrubý Jeseník
Hrubý Jeseník (, , ) is a mountain range of Eastern Sudetes in northern Moravia and Czech Silesia. It is the second highest mountain range in the Czech Republic.
Its best known natural sights include:
*Praděd, its highest mountain
*A powerf ...
and a part of the Zlatohorská vrchovina (Highlands). Specifically valuable areas are protected in national reserves: Šerák-Keprník with conserved virgin forest and distinguished flora and Rejvíz with the highmoor bog and rich fauna and flora. Similar importance has the National Reserve Rašeliniště Skřitek ("the peat bog") and the largest and most valuable nature reservation
Praděd
Praděd (; german: Altvater; pl, Pradziad; literally " great grandfather") () is the highest mountain of the Hrubý Jeseník mountains, Moravia, Czech Silesia and Upper Silesia and is the fifth-highest mountain of the Czech Republic. The highes ...
with famous Velký and Malý Kotel (Big and Little Kettle) called the "Botanic Garden of the Middle Europe". The National Nature Monument Špičák is known with its karst formation and ingenuous growths of yew.
Climate
Geomorphological diversity is incidental to climatic diversity as well. The rough climate of
Hrubý Jeseník
Hrubý Jeseník (, , ) is a mountain range of Eastern Sudetes in northern Moravia and Czech Silesia. It is the second highest mountain range in the Czech Republic.
Its best known natural sights include:
*Praděd, its highest mountain
*A powerf ...
penetrates the moderate climate of Silesian Lowlands and causes frequent turns at weather. This specifically moderate climate with low precipitations is in Vidnavka area situated in the precipitation shadow of the Jeseník (Mts.).
[Košacký, Petr, ''The Jeseník Region'', Association of towns and communities of Jeseník region (1997), CZ.]
History
This mountain region has been already settled in the 12th century by
Slavonic populations, which is documented by preserved place-names and fieldnames. The process of colonization was accomplished in the next century by the arrival of the German population. The Jeseník region was a part of the Nysa-Otmuchow principality and by Church in hands of the
Wrocław
Wrocław (; german: Breslau, or . ; Silesian German: ''Brassel'') is a city in southwestern Poland and the largest city in the historical region of Silesia. It lies on the banks of the River Oder in the Silesian Lowlands of Central Europe, rou ...
bishops. German colonization was the work of
Wrocław
Wrocław (; german: Breslau, or . ; Silesian German: ''Brassel'') is a city in southwestern Poland and the largest city in the historical region of Silesia. It lies on the banks of the River Oder in the Silesian Lowlands of Central Europe, rou ...
bishops Thomas I. and above all Thomas II. Since the 13th century the Czech, German and Polish influences have been mixed here, in addition to other nationalities such as Slovaks, Greeks, Romanians and Ukrainians.
Prospectors of noble metals and miners formed the important part of new settlers. The gold mining in the eras of the top and late Middle Ages was connected with personalities as were for example German businessmen kin of Fuggers from Augsburg. In the next centuries periods of economic prosperity and stability alternated with periods of the spirit and material breakdown. Especially the years of religious wars belonged to the darkest periods of the history. They brought the population much suffering and affliction.
An economic decline arrived with
The Hussite Wars, when troops of warriors of God passed the country in their crusade against Wrocław. In 1424 the castles and bishop's towns of the region were captured. Much more disasters were brought by passes of armies during the
Thirty Years Wars
The Thirty Years' War was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history, lasting from 1618 to 1648. Fought primarily in Central Europe, an estimated 4.5 to 8 million soldiers and civilians died as a result of battl ...
, which involved especially to country population the period of horrific, slaughter, and firing of farm-houses. Certainly it is not a hazard that just in that time of deep economic and moral declination the Jeseník region was affected by the wave of spiritual cancer in inquisition trials with alleged wise women. The trials framed in Jeseník and Nysa regions in the years 1622–1684, cost hundreds of human victims. Wars of Austria Heritage also unfavourably affected the region in the fortieth years of the 18th century.
The Wrocław Piece in 1742 split Silesia into two parts: Prussian and Austrian shares. The Jeseník region has devoted to Austrian Silesia since that year. After the separation of original economic centre in Nysa, it created a new administrative area called the Czech part of the Nysa principality. This status existed to the year 1848, when it died out with the feudal system.
Among glorious periods of the country below the Praděd there are for example beginnings of industrial enterprising in the last centuries (ferrous metallurgy, textile industry, stone industry). Origin and development of a spa resort forms the particularly important chapter in the regional history.
Economy
The nature conditions, mineral resources and separation from centres inside the country determine the way of life of its inhabitants. The whole region is of agricultural and industrial character. Beside the quarrying and treatment of granite, limestone and marble, also the woodwork, textile and other branches of industries have arisen here. The mining of base metals and gold, having been kept at Zlaté Hory is declining now. Agriculture is prosperous particularly in undulated and fertile plain between
Vidnava
Vidnava (, pl, Widnawa) is a town in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,200 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.
Etymology
The town ...
,
Bernartice and
Javorník called "Silesian
Hanakia" due to its fairly sunny climate.
Complete list of municipalities
Bělá pod Pradědem
Bělá pod Pradědem (german: Waldenburg) is a municipality in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,700 inhabitants.
Administrative parts
The municipality is made up of villages of Adolfovice, Bělá, Dom ...
–
Bernartice –
Bílá Voda
Bílá Voda (german: Weißwasser, pl, Biała Woda) is a municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 300 inhabitants.
Etymology
Bílá Voda is named after the eponymous creek in the villa ...
–
Černá Voda
Černá Voda (german: Schwarzwasser) is a municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 500 inhabitants.
Černá Voda lies approximately north of Jeseník, north of Olomouc, and east of ...
–
Česká Ves
Česká Ves (german: Böhmischdorf) is a municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,400 inhabitants.
Geography
Česká Ves is located north of Jeseník and is urbanistically fused with ...
–
Hradec-Nová Ves
Hradec-Nová Ves (german: Gröditz-Neudorf, pl, Grodziec-Nowa Wieś) is a municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 400 inhabitants.
Hradec-Nová Ves lies approximately north-east of ...
–
Javorník –
Jeseník
Jeseník (; until 1947 Frývaldov (); german: Freiwaldau, pl, Frywałdów) is a spa town in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 11,000 inhabitants.
Administrative parts
Villages of Bukovice and Dětřichov are administrative ...
–
Kobylá nad Vidnavkou
Kobylá nad Vidnavkou (german: Jungferndorf) is a municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 400 inhabitants.
Kobylá nad Vidnavkou lies approximately north-west of Jeseník, north of ...
–
Lipová-lázně
Lipová-lázně (until 1960 Dolní Lipová; german: Bad Lindewiese) is a spa municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,100 inhabitants.
Administrative parts
The village of Horní Lipo ...
–
Mikulovice –
Ostružná –
Písečná –
Skorošice
Skorošice (german: Gurschdorf) is a municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 700 inhabitants.
Skorošice lies approximately north-west of Jeseník, north of Olomouc, and east of P ...
–
Stará Červená Voda
Stará Červená Voda (german: Alt Rothwasser) is a municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 600 inhabitants.
Administrative parts
The village of Nová Červená Voda is an administra ...
–
Supíkovice –
Uhelná
Uhelná (until 1948 Serksdorf; german: Sörgsdorf) is a municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 500 inhabitants.
Uhelná lies approximately north-west of Jeseník, north of Olomouc, ...
–
Vápenná –
Velká Kraš –
Velké Kunětice
Velké Kunětice (german: Groß Kunzendorf) is a municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 500 inhabitants.
Geography
Velké Kunětice is located about northeast of Jeseník and north ...
–
Vidnava
Vidnava (, pl, Widnawa) is a town in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,200 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.
Etymology
The town ...
–
Vlčice –
Zlaté Hory
Zlaté Hory (; until 1948 Cukmantl, german: Zuckmantel) is a town in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,600 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monu ...
–
Žulová
References
External links
Jeseník Official Siteat Jeseník.org
MOS - Městská a obecní statistikaat the
Czech Statistical Office
The Czech Statistical Office ( cs, Český statistický úřad) is the main organization which collects, analyzes and disseminates statistical information for the benefit of the various parts of the local and national governments of the Czech Re ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jesenik District
Districts of the Czech Republic