Hořice | |
|---|---|
 Jiřího z Poděbrad Square | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Hořice Location in the Czech Republic | |
| Coordinates:50°22′3″N15°37′53″E / 50.36750°N 15.63139°E /50.36750; 15.63139 | |
| Country |  Czech Republic |
| Region | Hradec Králové |
| District | Jičín |
| First mentioned | 1143 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Martin Pour |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.43 km2 (8.27 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 311 m (1,020 ft) |
| Population (2024-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 8,587 |
| • Density | 400/km2 (1,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 508 01 |
| Website | www |
Hořice (Czech pronunciation:[ˈɦor̝ɪtsɛ];German:Horschitz) is a town inJičín District in theHradec Králové Region of theCzech Republic. It has about 8,600 inhabitants.
Hořice consists of seven municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):[2]
The name is probably derived from the personal nameHora, meaning "the village of Hora's people", but it could be also derived from the old Czech diminutive form ofhora (i.e. 'mountain').[3]
Hořice is located about 21 kilometres (13 mi) southeast ofJičín and 21 km (13 mi) northwest ofHradec Králové. It lies on the border between a hilly landscape of theJičín Uplands in the north, and a flat landscape of theEast Elbe Table in the south. The highest point is at 440 m (1,440 ft) above sea level.
The first written mention of Hořice is from 1143 in the foundation deed of theStrahov Monastery. It was founded on a hill later named Gothard, which was named after the Church of Saint Gotthard founded here in the 12th century. In the 13th century, the settlement was moved to strategically more advantageous place below the hill. In 1365, it was first documented as amarket town.[4][5]
In 1423, Gothard hill was the site of a battle of theHussite Wars. During the rule of the Smiřický noble family from the mid-16th century to the early 17th century, the town developed rapidly.[5][6]
In 1846, the town square was damaged by a large fire, which destroyed most of the wooden houses. The wooden buildings were replaced by stone houses, which initiated stone quarrying in many local quarries. This has led to economic development and Hořice turned into a real town. Several factories were established, especially by Jewish entrepreneurs, and sandstone quarrying also developed. In 1882, the railway was built and connected the town with Hradec Králové and Jičín.[5][6]
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| Source: Censuses[7][8] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The town is known for its production ofHořické trubičky ("Hořice Rolls"), which is a traditional confectionery. The production started here in 1812. The manufactory is aprotected geographical indication by the European Union.[9]
The I/35 road (the section fromHradec Králové toJičín, part of theEuropean route E442) passes next to the town.
Hořice is located on the railway line Hradec Králové–Turnov.[10]
Among the most valuable buildings is the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. It was built in the Baroque style by plans ofKilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer in 1738–1748. The Hořice Castle was created in the Baroque style in the mid-18th century by reconstruction of a Gothic fortress from 14th–15th century.[6]
On the Gothard hill, there is the Church of Saint Gotthard. The original Romanesque cemetery church was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1783. On the hill there are also remains of an old fortress with the first-ever Czech sculpture ofJan Žižka, former Jewish cemetery, and a sculpture park.[4][6]
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