Nepomuk (Czech pronunciation: [ˈnɛpomuk]; German: Pomuk) is a town in Plzeň-South District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,500 inhabitants. It is known as the birthplace of Saint John of Nepomuk, who was born here around 1340.
Nepomuk | |
|---|---|
 Town hall on the town square | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Nepomuk Location in the Czech Republic | |
| Coordinates: 49°29′11″N 13°34′56″E / 49.48639°N 13.58222°E | |
| Country |  Czech Republic |
| Region | Plzeň |
| District | Plzeň-South |
| First mentioned | 1144 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Vladimír Vokurka |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.78 km2 (4.93 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 449 m (1,473 ft) |
| Population (2024-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 3,526 |
| • Density | 280/km2 (710/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal codes | 304 03, 335 03 |
| Website | www |
Administrative parts
editThe town is made up of two administrative parts: Nepomuk and Dvorec.
Etymology
editThe town was originally named Pomuk; the origin of the name is unclear. According to legend, it is derived from the rain that descended on the region after the blessing of Saint Adalbert in 992 (from the Old Czech pomoknout, i.e. 'to make wet').[2]
Geography
editNepomuk is located about 30 kilometres (19 mi) southwest of Plzeň. It lies in the Blatná Uplands. The highest point is located in the westernmost part of the municipal territory at 544 m (1,785 ft) above sea level. The Mihovka Brook flows through the town. East of the town are two notable ponds, Dvorecký and Panský. There are also several other fishponds in the municipal territory.
History
editThe first written mention of Pomuk is from 1144, when a new Cistercian monastery was built nearby. The monastery was destroyed by Hussite army in 1420 and now there is the village of Klášter. In 1384, Pomuk was merged with neighbouring Přesanice and renamed Nepomuk. It was promoted to a town in 1413.[3]
After the monastery was destroyed, its properties were acquired by Lords of Schwamberg and then by the Sternberg family. The greatest development of the town is connected with the Baroque period, when Nepomuk was an important pilgrimage site. After confusion, when Nepomuk was alternately called a town and a market town, the town status was confirmed by Emperor Charles VI in 1730.[2]
Demographics
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Transport
editThe I/20 road (part of the European route E49) from Plzeň to České Budějovice passes through the town.
Nepomuk is located on the major interregional railway line Brno–Plzeň. It addition, it is a starting point of a local line to Blatná.[6]
Sights
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The main landmark of the town centre is the Church of Saint John of Nepomuk. It was originally an early Baroque church from the mid-17th century, but it was completely rebuilt by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer in 1734–1738.[7]
The Church of Saint James the Great was originally a Romanesque church built in 1142–1153. It was then rebuilt in the early Gothic style at the end of the 13th century and in 1360–1370. The church was abolished in 1786 and the building served as a granary until 1857. In 1859–1860, it was reconstructed in the pseudo-Gothic style and since 1860, it has been a parish church. The separate late Baroque bell tower was built next to the church in 1780–1790.[8]
U Lípy House was built between 1360 and 1370 and is the oldest house in the town. The current appearance is from the early 19th century. In the Middle Ages, this building served as the seat of the Vogt and from the 17th century as an inn.[9]
Notable people
edit- John of Nepomuk (c. 1345–1393), saint
- Augustin Němejc (1861–1938), painter
- Marie Poledňáková (1941–2022), film director and screenwriter; raised here
Twin towns – sister cities
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References
edit- ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
- ^ a b "Nepomuk" (in Czech). Radio Prague. 2001-09-28. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
- ^ "O městě" (in Czech). Město Nepomuk. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
- ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
- ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
- ^ "Detail stanice Nepomuk" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
- ^ "Kostel sv. Jakuba" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
- ^ "Dům U Lípy" (in Czech). Město Nepomuk. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
- ^ "Partnerská města" (in Czech). Město Nepomuk. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
External links
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