Větrný Jeníkov Explained

Větrný Jeníkov
Settlement Type:Market town
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Vysočina
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Jihlava
Pushpin Map:Czech Republic
Pushpin Relief:1
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates:49.4758°N 15.4789°W
Established Title:First mentioned
Established Date:1226
Area Total Km2:12.22
Elevation M:665
Population As Of:2024-01-01
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:628
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+1
Timezone1 Dst:CEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:588 42

Větrný Jeníkov (in Czech pronounced as /ˈvjɛtr̩niːˈjɛɲiːkof/; German: Windig Jenikau) is a market town in Jihlava District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 600 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The village of Velešov is an administrative part of Větrný Jeníkov.

Geography

Větrný Jeníkov is located about 10km (10miles) northwest of Jihlava. It lies in the Křemešník Highlands. The highest point is a hill at 702m (2,303feet) above sea level. There are several ponds around the market town.

History

The first written mention of Jeníkov is from 1226. In 1346, the village was promoted to a market town. From 1436 to the 1570s, Jeníkov was owned by the Trčka of Lípa family. Since 1572, the market town has been called Větrný Jeníkov. Between 1619 and 1635, it was again owned by the Trčkas of Lípa, but their properties were confiscated as a result of the Battle of White Mountain.[2]

Around 1660, Větrný Jeníkov was acquired by the Trauttmansdorff family. In 1719–1744, the estate was a property of Knight Jan of Minetti. During his rule, the market town prospered. There was the development of guilds and the construction of representative buildings. Based on Minetti's will, the estate was inherited in 1744 by Vlašský špitál, which was a charity organization in Prague.[2]

The village of Velešov was founded around 1300, but was completely destroyed in 1421 (during the Hussite Wars). A new settlement was founded near Větrný Jeníkov in 1730 and was named Velešov after its predecessor.[2]

Transport

There is no railway or major road running through the municipality. The D1 motorway from Prague to Brno leads north of Větrný Jeníkov, beyond the municipal borders.

Sights

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is a small rural church. It was built in the Baroque style in 1720–1735.[3]

The castle was originally a fortress, rebuilt into a Baroque aristocratic residence in 1723–1729. In 1904–1907, it was rebuilt into its present Neo-Baroque form. Today it houses the municipal office.[2] [4]

The Jewish cemetery is located in the southern part of the municipal territory. It was founded in the first half of the 17th century. The oldest preserved tombstone dates from 1652.[5]

The landmark of Velešov is a belfry from 1829.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024. Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. Web site: Stručné dějiny Větrného Jeníkova. Městys Větrný Jeníkov. cs. 2023-09-07.
  3. Web site: Kostel Narození Panny Marie. National Heritage Institute. cs. 2023-09-08.
  4. Web site: Zámek. National Heritage Institute. cs. 2023-09-08.
  5. Web site: Židovský hřbitov. National Heritage Institute. cs. 2023-09-08.
  6. Web site: Zvonice a pamětní kámen. National Heritage Institute. cs. 2023-09-08.