Vejprty


Vejprty is a town in Chomutov District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,800 inhabitants. It lies along the border with Germany. Until World War II, it was a large town.

Administrative division

Vejprty consists of three municipal parts :
  • Vejprty
  • České Hamry
  • Výsada

    Geography

Vejprty is located about west of Chomutov and southeast of Karlovy Vary. It lies in the Ore Mountains. The highest point is below the top of the mountain Vlčí kopec, at above sea level. The territory stretches along the border with Germany, from which it is separated by the Polana stream. It borders the German municipalities of Bärenstein and Oberwiesenthal.

History

The first written mention of Vejprty is from 1506. In 1550, silver ore was discovered in the area. The mining settlement of Neugeschrei was established near the newly created adit, today the local part of Vejprty under the name Nové Zvolání. In 1607, Emperor Rudolf II allowed all the miners and craftsmen settled here to deal freely with their property. Vejprty was promoted to a royal mining town in 1617.
Vejprty was badly damaged during the Thirty Years' War by the army of Johan Banér, and the mines were flooded. In 1688, mining was resumed and the town began to flourish again. In the first half of the 18th century, however, profitability began to decline, and mining stopped in 1751. Although mining resumed briefly in the 19th century, it ended for good in 1845. The livelihood of the inhabitants was thus gradually reoriented to the manufacture of rifles and to lacemaking. Rapid development took place in the second half of the 19th century. It was helped by the establishment of the Chomutov–Vejprty railway, which was put into operation in 1872.

Demographics

Transport

Vejprty is located on the railway line Chomutov–Cranzahl. However, trains run on it only on weekends in the summer season.

Sights

The most important monument is the Church of All Saints. The original church was built in 1660. In 1777–1785, it was rebuilt in Rococo style. The church tower was rebuilt after a fire caused by lightning in 1827, and in 1912 it was raised to a height of.
A valuable building is the Chapel of Saint Martin. It dates from the 16th century, when it replaced an old wooden church.

Notable people

Vejprty is twinned with:
  • Bärenstein, Germany
Vejprty also cooperates with Gunzenhausen, Germany.