Hořovice


Hořovice is a town in Beroun District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 8,100 inhabitants. The town is known for the Hořovice Castle.
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Geography

Hořovice is located about southwest of Beroun and southwest of Prague. It lies in the Hořovice Uplands. The highest point is at above sea level. The stream Červený potok flows through the town.

History

Hořovice was founded between 1303 and 1322; however archaeological excavations proves existence of an early settlement already in the 10th century. There was a trading post, later rebuilt and expanded into a castle in the Gothic style.
Due to frequent fires in the town and reconstructions, almost all documents of Gothic and Renaissance architecture were destroyed.
The construction of the Bohemian Western Railway in around 1862 contributed to the development of industry. Gradually, the traditional handicraft nail production disappeared, and was replaced by machine production in the newly established factories. Thanks to the rich deposits in the area, iron ore has been processed here since the 14th century. Cast iron has made the area famous since the 18th century. Stoves, grilles, railings, reliefs, and busts were cast in the local foundries.

Jewish legacy

One of the world's most common Jewish surnames Horovitz/Horowitz/Gurvich/Hurwicz/Hurwitz/Horvitz, etc., originates from the town of Hořovice, which during the late Middle Ages had one of the most substantial Jewish populations in the Bohemian Kingdom. Rabbis and communal leaders such as Isaiah Horowitz or Shabtai Sheftel Horowitz traced their lineage from this town.

Transport

Hořovice is located on the railway line Prague–Klatovy via Plzeň.

Sights

Hořovice is known for the Hořovice Castle, protected as a national cultural monument. The so-called New Castle was built in 1680–1709. It contains the adjacent French-English park and it is open to the public. The Old Castle houses the Police of the Czech Republic, the Municipal Library and the Information Centre, and offices of a family centre and of the Museum of the Bohemian Karst. A gallery and exposition of Hořovice Region Museum are also located there.
The second historic centre is Palackého Square with its surroundings. The Church of the Holy Trinity was built in the Baroque style in 1674. The town hall is a Neo-Renaissance building from 1905.
The former synagogue in Hořovice was built in 1903. The building survived World War II, but as the Jewish population of Hořovice disappeared as a result of the Holocaust, it lost its purpose. From 1947, it serves as a prayerhouse of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren.

Notable people

Twin towns – sister cities

Hořovice is twinned with: