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Opočno (; ) is a town in Rychnov nad Kněžnou District in the
Hradec Králové Region Hradec Králové Region (, ) is an administrative unit () of the Czech Republic located in the north-eastern part of the historical region of Bohemia. It is named after its capital Hradec Králové. The region neighbours the Pardubice Region in t ...
of the
Czech Republic The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...
. It has about 3,100 inhabitants. Opočno is known for the Opočno Castle, one of the most magnificent examples of Renaissance architecture in Bohemia. The historic town centre with the castle is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument zone.


Administrative division

Opočno consists of three municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census): *Opočno (2,822) *Čánka (241) *Dobříkovec (42)


Etymology

The name is derived from the old Czech adjective ''opočný'', meaning 'stone' or 'rock' (castle).


Geography

Opočno is located about northeast of
Hradec Králové Hradec Králové (; ) is a city of the Czech Republic. It has about 94,000 inhabitants. It is the capital of the Hradec Králové Region. The historic centre of Hradec Králové is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech R ...
. It lies in the Orlice Table. The highest point is the Velká Hvězda hill at above sea level. The town is situated on the Dědina River (here also called Zlatý potok) and on the shore of the Broumar Pond.


History

Opočno was first mentioned in 1068 by Cosmas of Prague in his '' Chronica Boemorum'', when there was a gord. In the early 14th century, Opočno was acquired by the Drslavic family, who had a Gothic castle built here, and a small town began to arise next to it. In 1495, the Bohemian noble family of Trčka of Lípa became owners of Opočno. During their rule, Opočno enjoyed a period of a significant economic growth and the castle was rebuilt. After the extinction of the Trčka family, Opočno was acquired by the Colloredo family. In 1673, a Capuchin monastery was founded in Opočno. In the 19th century, further development occurred. The district court and a hospital were established. The industrialization began with establishment of factories producing farm machinery and dairy products. This led to growth of the population. During
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, in 1942, the property of the Colloredo-Mandsfeld family including the castle in Opočno was confiscated by the
Nazis Nazism (), formally named National Socialism (NS; , ), is the far-right politics, far-right Totalitarianism, totalitarian socio-political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany. During H ...
. The restitution claims of the Colloredo-Mansfeld between 1991 and 2017 were denied.


Demographics


Transport

Opočno is located on the railway line
Náchod Náchod (; ) is a town in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 20,000 inhabitants. It is known both as a tourist destination and centre of industry. The historic town centre with the castle complex is well preserved and i ...
Choceň Choceň (; ) is a town in Ústí nad Orlicí District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 8,600 inhabitants. Administrative division Choceň consists of seven municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 c ...
.


Sights

The main sight is Opočno Castle. In 1560–1569, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, and after a fire in the late 17th century, Baroque modifications were made. Its part is an
English park English Park is a football (soccer), football stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is the home stadium of Canterbury United, which competes in the ASB Premiership, as well as Western AFC which currently compete in the Mainland Premier League. ...
with an area of . In the castle park there is the French-style castle summer house from 1602. In Opočno there are three churches. The parish Church of the Holy Trinity is located in the castle complex and is originally from the early 14th century. The Church of the Nativity of Jesus was originally a convent church of the Capuchin monastery. The monastery complex with the church is a unique complex of early Baroque buildings. The third church is the Church of the Virgin Mary in the old cemetery. The old church from the 17th century was rebuilt in 1810 to its current appearance. It now serves as a concert hall. The historic centre of Opočno is formed by squares Kupkovo and Trčkovo with adjacent streets, and by the castle complex. On Trčkovo Square, there are valuable Renaissance and Baroque burgher houses.


Notable people

* František Zdeněk Skuherský (1830–1892), composer *
František Kupka František Kupka (23 September 1871 – 24 June 1957), also known as ''Frank Kupka'' or ''François Kupka,'' was a Czech painter and graphic artist A graphic designer is a practitioner who follows the discipline of graphic design, eit ...
(1871–1957), painter * Naděžda Kavalírová (1923–2017), human rights activist and political prisoner * Luboš Sluka (born 1928), composer * Ivo Ulich (born 1974), footballer * Jaroslav Plašil (born 1982), footballer * Taťána Kuchařová (born 1987), model, Miss World 2006


Twin towns – sister cities

Opočno is twinned with: *
Opoczno Opoczno () is a town in south-central Poland, seat of Opoczno County in the Łódź Voivodeship. It has a long and rich history, and in the past it used to be one of the most important urban centers of northwestern Lesser Poland. Currently, Opoczno ...
, Poland *
Puteaux Puteaux () is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located in the heart of the Hauts-de-Seine department, from the centre of Paris. La Défense, Paris's business district hosting the tallest buildings in the metropolitan ...
, France *
Radków Radków () is a town in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district (gmina) called Gmina Radków, close to the Czech border. As at 2019, the town has a population of 2,406. ...
, Poland


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Opocno Populated places in Rychnov nad Kněžnou District Cities and towns in the Czech Republic