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Most (city)

Coordinates:50°30′11″N13°38′12″E/ 50.50306°N 13.63667°E/50.50306; 13.63667
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Most
Statutory city
View of the city from Hněvín Castle
View of the city fromHněvín Castle
Flag of Most
Flag
Coat of arms of Most
Coat of arms
Most is located in Czech Republic
Most
Most
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates:50°30′11″N13°38′12″E/ 50.50306°N 13.63667°E/50.50306; 13.63667
CountryCzech Republic
RegionÚstí nad Labem
DistrictMost
First mentioned1040
Government
• MayorMarek Hrvol
Area
• Total86.94 km2(33.57 sq mi)
Elevation
233 m (764 ft)
Population
(2024-01-01)[1]
• Total63,882
• Density730/km2(1,900/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1(CET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+2(CEST)
Postal code
434 01
Websitewww.mesto-most.cz

Most(Czech pronunciation:[most];German:Brüx) is a city in theÚstí nad Labem Regionof theCzech Republic.It has about 64,000 inhabitants.

Most is an industrial city with a long tradition of lignite mining. Due to mining, the historic city was demolished and replaced by a planned city. In locations where mining has ended, Most is an example of successful landscape revitalization.

Administrative division[edit]

Most is made up of eight city parts and villages: Most, Starý Most, Čepirohy, Komořany,Rudolice,Souš, Velebudice and Vtelno.[2]

Etymology[edit]

The name Most means 'bridge' inCzech.It first appeared as translation of theGermanname "Brüx" (derived from the German word for 'bridge',Brücke).[3]The city was named after the system of bridges that crossed the swamps in this area in the 10th century.[4]

Geography[edit]

View from Most Lake towards Hněvín and the city
View of Most from Ressl

Most is located about 33 km (21 mi) southwest ofÚstí nad Labemand 70 km (43 mi) northwest ofPrague.It lies on the border between theMost BasinandCentral Bohemian Uplands.The highest point is the hill Ressl at 413 m (1,355 ft) above sea level. TheBílinaRiver flows through the city.

There are several artificial lakes created duringland rehabilitationafter coal mining. The largest of them is Most Lake, created in 2008–2012. With an area of 309.4 ha (765 acres), it is the second largest artificial lake in the country. It is mainly used for sports and recreation.[5]The second notable lake in the centre of Most is Matylda Lake, also used for sports and recreation. It was infused in 1992 and has an area of 38.7 ha (96 acres).[6]

History[edit]

11th–15th centuries[edit]

Lookout tower of the rebuilt Hněvín

The first written mention of Most is from 1040, when it was mentioned in LatinChronica BoemorumasGnevin Pons( "Hněvín Bridge" ). From the end of the 12th century, theHrabišicdynasty began to colonize the territory and established here a stronghold. Most was originally a market village at the crossroads of old trade routes. After 1210, the villages was moved to the other bank of the river Bílina.[7]

In 1227 Kojata, the last Hrabišic, passed his property to the Zderaz Monastery, but KingWenceslaus Iused the right ofescheatand took Most from the monastery.Hněvín Castlewas built on the site of the old stronghold in 1238–1248. After 1240, Most acquired the character of a town. It was first referred to as a town in 1247. In the mid-13th century, it was promoted to a royal city. KingOttokar IIgranted the city further privileges in 1273. The city developed rapidly and benefited from its advantageous location near the kingdom's borders and on an important road.[7]

During the reign of next kings, the city continued to prosper. In 1321, 1334, 1395 and 1455, the city was damaged by fires. In 1374,Charles IVgranted Most the vineyard right, wine has probably been produced here since the 12th century. In the mid-14th century, the city walls were finished. The prosperity ended with theHussite Warsbut in both 1421 and 1424 the city withstood theHussitesiege. Most recovered thanks to the trade route of international importance and thanks to the start of iron ore mining in the nearbyOre Mountains.[7]

16th–17th centuries[edit]

In 1515, the worst fire in its history hit the city, damaging the church from 1253–1257 and the town hall. Construction of the new church began in 1517, and the new Renaissance city hall was built before 1553. In the second half of the 16th century, the crisis was deepened by crop failures, loans to the king, plague, famine, further fires and Turkish wars. Most went into debt and paid off the debts for the next hundred years. In 1595, the city bought the Hněvín Castle from EmperorRudolf IIand other estates.[7]

In 1639–1648, during theThirty Years' War,the city was occupied bySwedish troopsbecause of the Hněvín Castle. After the Thirty Years' War, the city lost much of its economic and political significance. So that the castle would no longer be a reason to besiege the city, the inhabitants of Most asked EmperorFerdinand IIIto demolish the castle. The demolition took place in 1651–1653.[7]

18th–19th centuries[edit]

Huge reserves of coal were discovered in the 18th century.[8]Most was affected by theSilesian Warswhen the city had to pay war contributions. After the city's economic conditions were consolidated in the second half of the 18th century, Most was affected by the passage ofNapoleon's army at the beginning of the 19th century. In the first half of the 19th century, the medieval wall were demolished. In 1820, Most was hit by another big fire.[7]

At the beginning of the 19th century, mining oflignitewas started. Industrialization began and the turning point was the construction of the railway in 1870, which brought connection with coal outlets. The last quarter of the 19th century saw a rapid increase in the number of inhabitants and newly built apartments, and there was an influx of the Czech population.[7]A sugar factory, a porcelain factory, a steel factory, a brewery and a city museum were built.[8]

20th century[edit]

In 1938, Most was annexed byNazi Germany.UnderGerman occupationfrom 1938 until 1945, the city was administered as a part of theRegierungsbezirk AussigofReichsgau Sudetenland.In 1944, there was a subcamp of theFlossenbürg concentration campprovidingforced laborin coal mines outside Most. The prisoners were mostlyPoles.[9]Most was repeatedly bombed during theOil Campaign of World War II.The Germans also operated aGestapoprison in the city.[10]

After the war, Most was restored to Czechoslovakia. German population wasexpelledin accordance with thePotsdam Agreementand the city was resettled byCzechs.[8]

In 1964, the Czechoslovak Communist government decided to demolish the historic Most due to the expansion of coal mining, including the Gothic city centre, the brewery founded in 1470, the 1910 theatre, and the cemetery established in 1853. Only theChurch of the Assumption of the Virgin Marywas saved. The destruction of the historic city began in 1965 and was finished in 1985. Simultaneously with the start of mining, a new city began to emerge, with the first building finished in 1971. Newly built, standardized blocks of flats (paneláks) followed brutalist architecture common for that era. The destruction of Most brought monetary profit to the state as coal was mined in the locality for an estimated 3 billionCSK.[8]

Construction of the new City Hall began in 1972 and was completed in 1977 after construction delays.[11]

Demographics[edit]

Most has a significantRomani peoplecommunity, concentrated especially in theChanov housing estate.[12]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
186911,262—
188018,649+65.6%
189027,292+46.3%
190040,701+49.1%
191048,621+19.5%
YearPop.±%
192151,727+6.4%
193056,751+9.7%
195046,328−18.4%
196156,857+22.7%
197061,158+7.6%
YearPop.±%
198061,543+0.6%
199170,670+14.8%
200168,263−3.4%
201165,193−4.5%
202161,306−6.0%
Source: Censuses[13][14]

Economy[edit]

Revitalized land around the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Most lies on the edge of theMost Basinand is an importantlignite-mining region. Since the discovery of huge reserves of coal, the city has been shaped by mining. It caused an influx of residents and the development of other industries, but it also caused the destruction of historic parts of the city.[8]The mining industry still employs hundreds of people; the largest employer in the city isCzech Coal Group.

The Komořany power plant is linked to coal mining. It is a large lignite power plant with a total installed electrical output of 239MWe,built in 1955–1958.[15]

In addition to mining, heavy industry and chemistry were developed in Most, but in the 21st century they are replaced by services in the composition of the city's economy. The mining segment operates not only in the form of coal mining, but also in the framework of extensiveland rehabilitation.The cultivation of wine and fruit was also restored. The recultivation of the landscape in the vicinity of Most is unique and appreciated as an effective and sensitive revitalization of the landscape, which is a model for further recultivations. The ouskirts of Most have become attractive for tourism.[16][17]

Transport[edit]

Most is located on the railway linesPrague–Cheb,Kadaň–DěčínandRakovník–Osek.In addition to the main railway station, the Most-Kopisty and Třebušice stops are also located in the municipal territory.

The city operates a transport company together with the neighbouring town ofLitvínov.In addition to buses, there is also theMost–Litvínov tramway network.

Culture[edit]

Repre House of Culture

The Repre House of Culture (originally called "Regional House of Culture of Miners and Energy Workers" ) started in 1972 but was not completed until 2 June 1984.[18]It includes a planetarium located on the roof sphere, a cinema and numerous rooms and halls. The city sold the building to the private sector in 2010 and has been subject to numerous replacement and refurbishment proposals.[19]

The new theatre was planned for the new city centre from the late 1960s but construction didn't commence until 1979 and was opened on 7 November 1985. Designed by Ivo Klimeš following his completion winning design in 1969, it features a 500 seat auditorium and was called Divadlo Pracujících (Theatre of the Working People) until 1990.[20]

Education[edit]

Three universities have detached workplaces in Most:Czech University of Life Sciences Prague,VSB – Technical University of Ostrava,andUniversity of Finance and Administration.[21]

Sport[edit]

Most Autodrom

The local football clubFK Baník Most 1909existed for more than 100 years and used to play in the top tier of Czech football, but it was disestablished in 2016. The city is now represented by FK Baník Most-Souš, playing in the 3rd tier of Czech football.

Most Hippodrome is located in the Velebudice part of Most. The city hosts eight horse racing days per year, and is thus one of the leading horse racing locations in the region. The area with the race track was created during the reclamation of the landscape and is also used for other sports and cultural events.[22]

Most is known forAutodrom Most,a race track for motorsport opened in 1983.

Aquadrom Most is awater parklocated in the centre of Most.[16]

Sights[edit]

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Church of the Holy Spirit

Hněvín Castlebelongs to the main landmarks of the city. After the original castle was demolished in 1651–1653, the current romantic castle was built as a copy of it. Its main part is a stone lookout tower, built in 1900.[23]

The most important monument is the GothicChurch of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.It was built in 1517–1602, after the old city church was destroyed by a huge fire in 1515. The church became famous when it was moved 841.1 m (2,760 ft) away to the newly constructed town in 1975, due to the demolition of the historic centre of the old town. The move took 28 days to complete with an average speed of 2.16 cm (0.85 in) per minute. The Czechoslovak government took pride in the relocation of this religious structure, and the building was mentioned in the GoldenGuinness Book Of World Recordsas the heaviest building ever moved on wheels.[24][25]

The oldest preserved building in Most is the Church of the Holy Spirit. It was probably built in the 1320s and first documented in 1351. The church is small, but it is very valuable due to its preservation and pure Gothic style. After the move of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the churches found themselves next to each other. Today the Church of the Holy Spirit has been desecrated and exhibitions and classical music concerts take place in its premises.[26]

In Vtelno is the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It was built in the Baroque style in 1736–1738.[27]

Among the other monuments are the building of the Regional Museum in Most, Neorenaissance fountain, plague column with the sculptural group of St. Anne, set ofStations of the Cross,and Jewish cemetery in Souš.[16]

In popular culture[edit]

Most was nationwide popularized by successful TV seriesMost!(2018). It used to be a popular location for filming foreign war films, particularly as period buildings could be realistically exploded for the cameras. Several films were shot here, includingThe Bridge at Remagen(1969),Slaughterhouse-Five(1972),All Quiet on the Western Front(1979) andBattle of Moscow(1985), and Czech filmsThe Joke(1969),Something Like Happiness(2005),Dolls(2007) andROMing(2007).[28]

Notable people[edit]

Twin towns – sister cities[edit]

See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic

Most istwinnedwith:[29]

Gallery[edit]

  • Budovatelů Street
    Budovatelů Street
  • Fountain and city theatre
    Fountain and city theatre
  • Plague column and city hall
    Plague column and city hall
  • Most planetarium
    Most planetarium
  • Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk statue
    Tomáš Garrigue Masarykstatue

References[edit]

  1. ^"Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024".Czech Statistical Office.2024-05-17.
  2. ^"Části obcí".Územně identifikační registr ČR(in Czech).Retrieved2023-11-14.
  3. ^"Entwicklung der Stadt Brüx".kreis-bruex.de(in German).Retrieved2024-02-17.
  4. ^"Původ názvů obcí Mostecka: Most"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2022-05-24.
  5. ^"Jezero Most"(in Czech). CzechTourism.Retrieved2023-09-18.
  6. ^"Jezero Matylda u Mostu"(in Czech). CzechTourism.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  7. ^abcdefg"Historie města Mostu"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  8. ^abcde"Když město ustoupilo uhlí. Před 55 lety byl osud Mostu zpečetěn"(in Czech).Czech Television.2019-03-27.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  9. ^"Brüx (Most) Subcamp".KZ-Gedenkstätte Flossenbürg.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  10. ^"Gestapogefängnis Most".Bundesarchiv.de(in German).Retrieved2023-01-10.
  11. ^"Radnice"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-08-12.
  12. ^Tušicová, Olga (2022-02-13)."Tahle místa znají v Česku všichni. Bydlet by tu ale nikdo nechtěl"(in Czech). Deník.cz.Retrieved2024-03-19.
  13. ^"Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Most"(in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 5–6.
  14. ^"Population Census 2021: Population by sex".Public Database.Czech Statistical Office.2021-03-27.
  15. ^"Historie a současnost"(in Czech). United Energy, a.s.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  16. ^abc"Současnost města Mostu"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  17. ^Štýs, Stanislav."Proměny Mostecka"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  18. ^"Reprezentační dům"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-08-12.
  19. ^"Nový kulturní dům Repre v Mostě: místo rekonstrukce bude demolice"(in Czech). Stavbaweb.cz. 2012-02-12.Retrieved2023-08-12.
  20. ^"Town Theatre in Most".Theatre Architecture.Retrieved2023-08-12.
  21. ^"Vysoké školy na území města Mostu"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  22. ^"O hipodromu"(in Czech). Hipodrom Most.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  23. ^"Hrad Hněvín"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  24. ^"History of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary".National Heritage Institute.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  25. ^"Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie v Mostě"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  26. ^"Kostel svatého Ducha"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  27. ^"Kostel Povýšení sv. Kříže"(in Czech). National Heritage Institute.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  28. ^"Filmová místa"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-01-10.
  29. ^"Partnerská města"(in Czech). City of Most.Retrieved2023-01-10.

External links[edit]

Wikisourcehas the text of the1911Encyclopædia Britannicaarticle "Brüx".
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