Dvůr Králové nad Labem

Dvůr Králové nad Labem consists of six municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):{{cite web |title=Public Census 2021 – basic data|url=https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4690&katalog=33475&pvo=SLD21043-CO|work=Public Database|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|language=cs|date=2022}}

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• Dvůr Králové nad Labem (13,475)
• Lipnice (393)
• Verdek (211)
• Zboží (165)
• Žireč (481)
• Žirecká Podstráň (225)

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The town's name means "Queen's court on the Elbe". It refers to its history, when it was owned by Bohemian queens, and geographical location. It was originally named Dvůr; the name appeared as Curia in Latin in 1270, as Hof in German in 1318, and then as Dwuor in Old Czech in 1421.{{cite web |title=History of the town|url=https://www.dvurkralove.cz/en/town/history-of-the-town-2/|publisher=Town Information Centre Dvůr Králové nad Labem|access-date=2021-09-22}}

Dvůr Králové nad Labem is located about {{convert|16|km|0}} southwest of Trutnov and {{convert|24|km|abbr=on}} north of Hradec Králové. It lies mostly in the eastern tip of the Jičín Uplands; the northern part of the municipal territory extends into the Giant Mountains Foothills. The highest point is the hill Záleský vrch at {{convert|459|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. The town is situated on both banks of the Elbe River, in the river valley.

File:Dvůr-Králové-nad-Labem-náměstí-TGM2017.jpg

The first written mention of Dvůr Králové nad Labem is from 1270. A settlement with a small church was founded as guard point on a military trail to Silesia probably in the second half of the 12th century. The settlement began to expand with colonization of mostly German people. It is unknown when it was promoted to a town and became a property of the king.

In the 14th century, the town was fortified. In 1392, King Wenceslaus IV signed the town over to his wife, Queen Sophia of Bavaria. Since then, it was a dowry town and called Dvůr Králové. In 1421, the town surrendered without a fight to the moderate wing of the Hussites. In 1436, it became again a dowry town managed by Queen Barbara of Cilli.

During the Thirty Years' War, Dvůr Králové was repeatedly looted and damaged, and experienced decline. It was also marked by War of the Austrian Succession, Seven Years' War and Austro-Prussian War. The town however recovered thanks to textile crafts (weaving and dyeing), and became regional centre of trade and crafts. The industry further developed after the railway was built in 1858, the road network was improved, and the Elbe became navigable. In the 1880s, the first textile factories were established.

Until 1918, the town was part of Austria-Hungary, head of the Königshof an der Elbe – Dvůr Králové nad Labem District, one of the 94 Bezirkshauptmannschaften in Bohemia.Die postalischen Abstempelungen auf den österreichischen Postwertzeichen-Ausgaben 1867, 1883 und 1890, Wilhelm Klein, 1967

After World War II, the German inhabitants were expelled.

On 16 September 1817, Václav Hanka allegedly discovered a manuscript appearing to be from the 13th century in the tower of a local church. The Manuscript of Dvůr Kralové, probably in fact created by Hanka, was intended to help Czech patriots in the struggle against German culture. Although it has been proved to be most likely a counterfeit, it became an important part of the country's history.

{{historical populations

|align=none|cols=3

|1869|8365

|1880|8902

|1890|10898

|1900|13201

|1910|17766

|1921|15615

|1930|18839

|1950|16083

|1961|16904

|1970|16828

|1980|17911

|1991|16976

|2001|16381

|2011|15754

|2021|14950

|source=Censuses{{cite web |title=Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011|url=https://csu.gov.cz/produkty/historicky-lexikon-obci-1869-az-2015|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|language=cs|date=2015-12-21}}{{cite web |title=Population Census 2021: Population by sex|url=https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4429&katalog=33515&pvo=SLD21001-OB-OK|work=Public Database|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|date=2021-03-27}}}}

The largest employer based in Dvůr Králové nad Labem is Juta. The company was founded here in 1946 as jute and hemp processor and followed up on tradition of textile industry. Today it focuses on technical fabrics and synthetic products.{{cite web |title=O společnosti|url=https://www.juta.cz/juta-a-s|publisher=JUTA a. s.|language=cs|access-date=2021-09-22}}

Dvůr Králové nad Labem lies on the railway line Liberec–Pardubice.

File:John the Baptist church exterior.jpg

File:Kostel,radnice,dvur kralove nad labem.JPG

The town is known for Safari Park Dvůr Králové with its African safari theme. Visitors may admire over 2,300 animals of 500 species of mostly African hoofstock. It has a reputation of one of the most successful breeders of many endangered species.

Notable is the Church of Saint John the Baptist, which is a national monument. it was built in the Gothic style on the site of the original Romanesque church. The tower was added in 1644 and its present appearance is from the reconstructions in the 1890s.{{cite web |title=Church of St. John the Baptist|url=https://www.dvurkralove.cz/en/tips-for-trips/places-of-interest-in-dvur/church-of-st-john-the-baptist.html|publisher=Town Information Centre Dvůr Králové nad Labem|access-date=2021-09-22}}

The historic core is formed by T. G. Masaryka Square. Its main landmark is the Renaissance Old Town Hall. It was built in 1833, after the original building from 1572 burned down in 1790. It has arcades and decorative façade. Other sights of the square include Art Nouveau savings bank from 1909–1910, Baroque marian column from 1754, and a fountain from 1857.{{cite web |title=Town Circuit|url=https://www.dvurkralove.cz/en/tips-for-trips/town-circuit.html|publisher=Town Information Centre Dvůr Králové nad Labem|access-date=2021-09-22}}

In the town part of Žireč there is an old residence of the Jesuits.

{{Category see also|People from Dvůr Králové nad Labem}}

• Ferdinand Albin Pax (1858–1942), botanist, acted in Germany
• Otto Gutfreund (1889–1927), Jewish sculptor
• Karl Freund (1890–1969), Jewish cameraman of the silent film era
• Rudolf Antonín Dvorský (1899–1966), musician, songwriter
• Jan Zdeněk Bartoš (1908–1981), composer
• Ladislav Lubina (1967–2021), ice hockey player and coach
• Martin Šonka (born 1978), aerobatics and fighter pilot
• Gabriela Martinovová (born 1981), alpine skier
• Karolína Grohová (born 1990), cross-country skier
• Josef Král (born 1990), racing driver

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic}}

Dvůr Králové nad Labem is twinned with:{{cite web |title=Partnerská města|url=https://www.mudk.cz/cs/mesto/partnerske-vztahy/partnerska-mesta/|publisher=Město Dvůr Králové nad Labem|language=cs|access-date=2021-09-22}}

• {{flagicon|POL}} Kamienna Góra, Poland
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Piegaro, Italy
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Verneuil-en-Halatte, France

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Dvůr Králové nad Labem}}

{{wikisourcecat}}

• {{official|https://www.mudk.cz/}}
• [https://www.dvurkralove.cz/en/ Official tourist portal]
• [https://safaripark.cz/ Safari Park Dvůr Králové]
• [https://www.kralovedvorsko.cz/ Regional news]
• {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Königinhof|short=x}}
• [http://www.virtualczech.cz/kraj-kralovehradecky/182-dvur-kralove Virtual show]

{{Trutnov District}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dvur Kralove nad Labem}}

Category:Cities and towns in the Czech Republic

Category:Populated places in Trutnov District

Category:Populated riverside places in the Czech Republic

Category:Populated places on the Elbe