Mohelnice (Šumperk District)

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See other places named Mohelnice.

Statistics
Area:	46.2 km²
Population:	9,768 (2003)
Map

Mohelnice (IPA: [ˈmoɦɛlɲɪtsɛ], German: Müglitz) is a small city located in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic.

1 History
2 Mohelnice today
3 Famous people
4 Architecture
5 External links

[edit] History

The area is inhabited since Stone Age. Mohelnice is mentioned in written document in 1131 (as village owned by Olomouc bishopric). Castle Mírov is mentioned in 1266 and fully built after 1320. In 1273 Mohelnice had city rights. In 1307 and 1312 the city was devastated by plague, in 1424 conquered by Hussites (700 deaths). During first half of 16th century the city was rebuilt. Thirty Years' War devastated Mohelnice - in 1623 it was plundered by Swedish troops and over 30% of inhabitants died from plague, got attacked, conquered or plagued again in 1642, 1643, 1644 and 1647. In year 1662 fire burned the half of the city. During infamous witchcraft process in 1685 local priest was burned at the stake. In 1713 textile industry appears in the area. The city was plagued in 1714 and suffered from fire again in 1739. During Silesian Wars the city was plundered several times.

Population of Mohelnice in 1772 was 1867 inhabitants, not even half of the number from 16th century but it started to grow again (in 1792 it was 3887). Epidemies of cholera happened in 1832, 1849, 1851 and 1866. The city suffered from fire in 1841 and few smaller fires later. In 1863 Mohelnice builds sanitation system

19th and 20th century sees growth of manufacturing and industry - sugar processing, engineering, electrotechnics. In 1910 old city walls are demolished. In 1938 the city is occupied by Germany (as part of Sudetenland).

The city as a part of Sudetenland was inhabited by German speaking citizens (approx. 95%). After the World War II all citizens above age of 18 with German nationality were forced to leave the Czechoslovakia and that caused the city to be almost deserted. Within few months was the city inhabited by immigrants from other parts of Czechoslovakia.

In the second half of 20th century the city run through major urban changes, including narrowing the the Mírovka river and demolishing the old houses in the north part of the suburb. There were erected large and high block of flat buildings who are part of the city scenery until today.

[edit] Mohelnice today

Mohelnice is known for folk and country music festival Mohelnický dostavník [1]. Electrotechnical, engineering and construction industry is present. New industrial zone has been built.

The city is center of microregion Mohelnicko [2].