- Bruntál
Geobox | Settlement
name = Bruntál
other_name =
category = Town
image_caption =
| flag_border = 1
symbol = Bruntál Wappen.jpg
etymology =
official_name =
motto =
nickname =
country = Czech Republic
country_
state =
region = Moravian-Silesian
region_type = Region
district = Bruntál
district_type = District
commune = Bruntál
municipality =
part =
river =
location =
elevation = 409
lat_d = 49
lat_m = 59
lat_s =
lat_NS = N
long_d = 17
long_m = 27
long_s =
long_EW = E
highest =
highest_elevation =
highest_lat_d =
highest_long_d =
lowest =
lowest_elevation =
lowest_lat_d =
lowest_long_d =
area = 29.34
area_round = 2
population = 17686
population_date =
population_density = auto
established = 1213
established_type = Founded
mayor = Leoš Gregovský
mayor_party =
map_background = Czechia - background map.png
map_caption = Location in the Czech Republic
map_locator = Czechia
map1 = Moravian-Silesian Region - outline map.svg
map1_background =Moravian_Silesian_Region_-_background_map.png
map1_caption = Location in the Moravian-Silesian Region
map1_locator = Moravian-Silesian_Region
commons = Bruntál
statistics = [http://www.statnisprava.cz/ebe/ciselniky.nsf/i/597180 statnisprava.cz]
website = [http://www.mubruntal.cz/ www.mubruntal.cz]
footnotes =Bruntál (IPA2|ˈbruntaːl; _de. Freudenthal, _pl. Bruntal,
Latin : "Vallis Gaudiorum", "Vrudental") is a town located near the western boundary ofMoravian-Silesian Region . A suitable position in the middle of theJeseníky Mountains provides an ample number of touristic opportunities to the town. The cultural importance of Bruntál lies in its possession of a Baroque castle and many historical buildings.Geography
Bruntál is situated between the Hrubý Jeseník mountains and the rolling hills of the Nízký Jeseník mountains. The town lies in a valley surrounded by several hills ("Uhlířský vrch", 672 m; "Vodárenský vrch", 599 m; "Zadní Zelený vrch", 563 m; "Kozinec", 639 m). The Black Creek ("Černý potok") with its tributaries, the Oak Creek ("Bukový potok"), the Mare Creek ("Kobylí potok"), and the Waterworks Creek ("Vodárenský potok"), run through Bruntál. The Mare Pond ("Kobylí rybník") is located in the middle of the town. The Oak Pond ("Bukový rybník"), with a surface area of 5 ha (Czech Fishing Union 2006), lies almost 1 km northwest of the town. A dam reservoir the Slezská Harta, 870 ha of sheet in size (Povodí Odry 1998), is located approximately 5 km southeast of the town. There are many residues resembling volcanic activity which took place in the
Quaternary era. Uhlířský vrch (672 m), Venušina sopka (655 m), Velký Roudný (780 m), Malý Roudný (770) and others belong among extinct volcanos. These volcanoes are a part of the Slunečná Highlands ("Slunečná vrchovina"). The Slunečná Highlands is 16 km long and it lies southwards from Bruntál to Moravský Beroun, it includes the highest mountain of the Nízký Jeseník mountains, Mount Slunečná (800 m).Geology
Bruntál belongs to the Czech Massif which is the main geologic structure in the Czech Republic. Bruntál lies in the Moravian-Silesian Unit which is a preplatform unit formed until the end of the
Variscan orogeny ("Hercynian orogeny"). Bruntál is a part of the region consisting foremost of sedimentary rocks formed during the Mississippian Epoch of theCarboniferous period. In terms of Czech geology, this geologic period is called "kulm". The mentioned region stretches fromBrno toKrnov .The main geologic formations distributed across the town and its surroundings are
turbidite s. The most common rock in the area isslate . In the west of the town slate enriched byapatite andzircon can be found. In the east of the town lighter forms of slate occur.Fluvial sand s andrubble together withdeluvial sediments ofclay and sand origin lie along the rivers and creeks.Eluvial sediments prevail in the west part of the town.The most remarkable geologic site in the surroundings of the town is Uhlířský vrch. Originally, Uhlířský vrch was a stratovolcano ("compositive volcano") formed by both explosive and effusive eruptions, thus it is composed of pyroclastic rocks. 40-80% of the mentioned pyroclastic rocks consist of
lapilli , 10-50% consist ofvolcanic bombs , the rest is made fromvolcanic ash (Zapletal 1995). In addition, it is possible to perceive a frequent occurrence of metamorphicxenolith s dated back to the Mississippian Epoch of theCarboniferous period. The colors of the pyroclastic rocks vary from brown to yellow. The older effusive eruptions resulted in an occurrence of nepheline basalt andnephelinite . The effusive phase is approximately 2.4 ± 0.5 million years old (Zapletal 1995) and therefore it dates back to thePliocene (also called "Pleiocene") andPleistocene Epoch.History
The only source referring to the founding of the town is the Uničov Charter issued by Czech king Přemysl I Otakar (1155-1230) in 1223. There it is stated that the town of Bruntál was the first town in
Bohemia that had been grantedMagdeburg Rights ten years before the issue of the charter. Possession of these rights shows the importance of the town becauseMagdeburg Rights are considered as one of the most remarkable set of Germanicmedieval city laws . The reasons leading the king Přemysl I Otakar to pursuit a founding of a new town were twofold. The northern border ofMoravia had faced many attempts of colonization under auspices of the Bishops of Breslau (Wrocław ) so the necessity to prevent these actions was obvious. Also a discovery of ore deposits in the surroundings of Bruntál contributed to establishing the town. These facts have made historians assume Bruntál was founded by Vladislav Jindřich, theMargrave ofMoravia , in 1213.The mining of
noble metal s contributed to emerging of the town significantly, which was reflected by the first appearance of Bruntál coat of arms dated back to 1287. The town became a center of local crafts andtrade . In addition, endowing withMagdeburg Rights Bruntál was the highest appellate jurisdiction for evenOlomouc until 1352. Originally, Bruntál belonged to the domain ofMoravia nMargrave s but in 1269 Bruntál was in part transferred into the possession of the Dukes of Opava and finally they took control over the whole Bruntál territory in 1318. Between 1385 and 1467 (1473) Bruntál was severally mortgaged and sold. Finally, the Lords of Vrbno gained Bruntál into their domain.The first person of the House of Vrbno was John of Bruntál and Vrbno, reigning from 1576 to 1577. His heirs, who had not reached their legal age at the time of the death of their father, were given the domain of Bruntál in 1506 by the
Princess Barbara of Opava, Ratiboř, and Krnov upon a condition of being a close ally to the Principality of Krnov. But the Lords of Vrbno preferred ties with the Principality of Opava and therefore they managed to gain an approval fromLouis II of Hungary and Bohemia in 1523 which granted an embodying of Bruntál domain into the Principality of Opava. The most important owner of Bruntál domain was Hynek The Older of Vrbno reigning from 1582 to 1596 who enjoyed a respect from the emperors Ferdinand I (1526-1564), Maximilian II (1564-1576), and Rudolf II (1576-1612). The last Lord of Vrbno was Hynek The Younger of Vrbno reigning from 1613 to 1614.Intensive mining backed by the Lords of Würbenthal led to a founding of several neighbouring towns (e.g. Andělská Hora about 1550,
Vrbno pod Pradědem in 1611). In addition, many kinds ofindustry took place at these times (e.g. smithery atSuchá Rudná in 1405 andMezina in 1567, 7 timber mills in 1579). In May 1617 Bruntál was bought by the last Lord of Vrbno John IV of Vrbno, who joined the Uprising of the Estates and gained a rank of the Director in 1619. His close ties to the "Winter King"Frederick V, Elector Palatine , who was John's guest in February 1620, posed him into a very dangerous circumstances after theBattle of White Mountain in1620. He was forced to leave his Freudenthal possessions and escape from the country in 1620. The emperor Ferdinand II (1619-1637) confiscated the Bruntál domain and gave it to his brother Karl I of Austria (1619-1624) who was the Grand Master (Hochmeister) of the Teutonic Order.The Freudenthal domain together with other properties of the Teutonic Order was under the direct administration of the Grand Master and therefore a lieutenancy was established in 1625. The
Thirty Years' War damaged the town significantly and after that conflict, Freudenthal has never achieved its previous importance again. During the 18th century many disasters challenged the town (e.g. the plague in 1714 and 1739, the great fire in 1748 and 1764). Neverthenless, many new baroque buildings were built during this period. Other improvements took place in Freudenthal, a newpost office was established in 1748. Development of industry could be perceived in Freudenthal during the 19th century. In terms of textile industry, Bruntál belonged to the most important towns inSilesia . In 1885, a publichospital was opened as the first inCzech Silesia . In addition, many new high schools were established during the second half of the 19th century. DuringAustro-Prussian War in 1866, Freudenthal was occupied by the Prussian Army and the Freudenthal Castle served as a hospital for soldiers.According to the Austrian census of 1910 the town had 8,066 inhabitants, 7,965 of whom had permanent residence there. Census asked people for their native language, 7,939 (99.7%) were German-speaking.
Jews were not allowed to declare Yiddish, most of them thus declared the German language as their native. Most populous religious groups wereRoman Catholics with 7,725 (95.8%), followed byProtestants with 229 (2.8%) and theJews with 97 (1.2%). [Ludwig Patryn (ed): " [http://www.kc-cieszyn.pl/biblioteka/strony/ramka.php?autor=Patryn&licz=1 Die Ergebnisse der Volkszählung vom 31. Dezember 1910 in Schlesien] ", Troppau 1912.]After the
World War I , a German-led uprising took place in Bruntál but it was suppressed by the Czech Army in December 1918. Between 1919 and 1924, the possessions of the Teutonic Order in Bruntál were put under the state administration. Within theFirst Republic of Czechoslovakia , Bruntál belonged to the towns with significant preponderance of German inhabitants, only a very small Czech minority lived in Bruntál at that times. Not surprisingly, Germannationalism gained many sympathizers among German inhabitants of Bruntál, which was reflected in an attempt for uprising in September 1938. After signing theMunich Agreement onSeptember 29 1938 , Bruntál was occupied by German troops. Bruntál was liberated by the Soviet army (Red Army) onMay 7 1945 . In 1946 the possessions of the Teutonic Order were confiscated in accordance with the Decree of the PresidentEdvard Beneš and transferred to the . As was the case in most of the fomer Czechoslovakia, the German population was forcefully expelled.Education
A wide arrange of educational facilities is available in Bruntál. Czech educational system distinguishes four basic levels of
schools . Anursery school is an educational facility aimed at providing a care for children, who has turn at least 2 years, throughout a day. The second level of education (which is perceived asprimary education ) is represented byprimary schools , where attendance is compulsory for children from their 6 (in certain cases 7) years until they turn 15 years. Various sorts ofhigh schools present the third level of Czech educational system (which is perceived assecondary education ). Individual schools placed in the mentioned category differs in their specialization one another. The supreme level of school system is auniversity (which is perceived ashigher education ).According to the mentioned scheme, it is possible to distinguish schools located in Bruntál as follows. There are 6 nursery schools, 5 primary schools, and 6 high schools. In addition, the Business School Ostrava (a private-owned
university style institution) has placed its consultation center into Bruntál. Therefore Bruntál inhabitants were given a chance to study auniversity in their own town. Moreover, a special school (in Czech terminology called "Speciální škola") provides an education for Bruntál children with specific health difficulties (e.g. mentally affected children). There is also an art school in Bruntál. However, the Czech term "Art School" refers to a facility operating mostly on the levels of primary andsecondary education , which is independent of both primary and high schools.Another notable educational facility is the House of Children and Youth (in Czech terminology "Dům dětí a mládeže"). This facility is aimed at providing various leisure activities for
children (6-15 years), young people (15-18), andadults of all ages. Understandably, attendance to this type of educational facility is entirely optional. The current sorts of activities offered by the House of Children and Youth vary fromsports (belly dancing ,volleyball ,gymnastics , etc.) tofine arts (pottery , playing various musical instruments).ee also
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Bruntál symbols Footnotes
References
* Czech Fishing Union. 2006. Fishing Waters, Non-Salmonid Waters, Bukový rybník 1 A - MO Bruntál 5 ha. http://crs-ova.fishnet.cz/index.php?path=reviry/view.php&typ=m&revir=471169 (accessed July 27, 2006)
* Niesner, Tomáš. 2003. On History of Bruntál [Z historie města Bruntálu] . The Official Website of Bruntál Municipal Office, August 11, 2003 [cited July 23, 2006] . http://www.mubruntal.cz/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?u=1316&id_org=1316&id=93580&p1=&p2=&p3= (accessed July 26, 2006)
* Povodí Odry, the State Public Enterprise. 1998. The Waterwork of Slezská Harta. http://www.pod.cz/fr_prehrady.html (accessed July 27, 2006)
* Vencálek, Jaroslav et al. 1995. "The Northern Moravia and the Czech Silesia" [Severní Morava a České Slezsko] . Český Těšín: Olza.
* Zapletal, Jan. 1995. "38 - Uhlířský vrch u Bruntálu". In: Jiří Zimák, Jaromír Demek, Ilja Pek, and Jan Zapletal, "The Guide for Geologic Excursions. Middle and Northern Moravia and Silesia" [Průvodce ke geologickým exkurzím. Střední a severní Morava a Slezsko] . Olomouc: Vydavatelství Univerzity Palackého, s. 39.
External links
* [http://www.mubruntal.cz/ Official website of Bruntal Municipal Office]
* [http://www.bruntal-zamek.cz/ Bruntál Castle] cs icon
* [http://www.bruntal-zamek.cz/casosa.htm Detailed history of the town] cs icon
* [http://www.cuzk.cz/ Czech Office for Surveing, Mapping and Cadastre (Český úřad zeměměřický a katastrální)]
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