Domažlice

Domažlice
Town
Central square
Flag
Coat of arms
Country Czech Republic
Region Plzeň
District Domažlice
Commune Domažlice
Parts Dolejší Předměstí, Havlovice, Hořejší Předměstí, Město, Týnské Předměstí
Center Náměstí Míru
 - elevation 428 m (1,404 ft)
 - coordinates
Area 24.61 km2 (9.5 sq mi)
Population 10,970 (2007-03-05)
Density 446 / km2 (1,155 / sq mi)
Founded 10th century
Mayor Miroslav Mach
Timezone CET (UTC+1)
 - summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 344 01
Location in the Czech Republic
Wikimedia Commons: Domažlice
Statistics: statnisprava.cz
Website: english.domazlice.info
Domažlice
Municipality with Extended Competence
Country Czech Republic
Region Plzeň
Parts Domažlice, Kdyně
Area 763.18 km2 (294.67 sq mi)
Population 39,168 (2005-12-31)
Density 51 / km2 (132 / sq mi)
Domažlice
Municipality with Commissioned Local Authority
Country Czech Republic
Region Plzeň
Little District Domažlice
Municipalities Babylon, Česká Kubice, Díly, Domažlice, Draženov, Hradiště, Chocomyšl, Chodov, Chrastavice, Kanice, Kaničky, Klenčí pod Čerchovem, Koloveč, Luženičky, Milavče, Mrákov, Nemanice, Nevolice, Pasečnice, Pec, Pelechy, Postřekov, Srbice, Stráž, Tlumačov, Trhanov, Újezd, Únějovice, Zahořany, Ždánov
Area 340.17 km2 (131.34 sq mi)
Population 23,345 (2005-12-31)
Density 69 / km2 (179 / sq mi)

Domažlice (Czech pronunciation: [ˈdomaʒlɪtsɛ]; German: Taus) is a town in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic.

Domažlice is also a Municipality with Extended Competence and a Municipality with Commissioned Local Authority within the same borders.

Contents

History

Domažlice was first recorded as a town in 1231. Přemysl Otakar II of Bohemia ordered the city to be fortified for the purpose of protecting the border with Bavaria. It would remain fortified from 1262 to 1265. Border guards were recruited from the Chodové (Slavic free farmers) who settled in the vicinity of Domažlice.

The city was mortgaged to Bavaria in 1331, lasting until 1419 (with some interruptions). Under Hussite rule, German citizens were expelled from the city, and since then, the population is predominantly Czech. In 1431, Prokop the Bald defeated the crusaders of the Holy Roman Empire near Domažlice. The 15th and 16th century saw Domažlice change hands frequently, but its importance diminished following the end of the Thirty Years' War. It was not until 1770 that it recovered, largely due to innovations in the textile industry.

Within the context of the Czech National Revival, Domažlice became a central place during the 19th century. At the time, it was the most western ethnic Czech town, very close to the border with the Kingdom of Bavaria. In the city, a pilgrimage took place on August 13, 1939, which developed into a large Czech protest demonstration against the German occupation and control of the ethnic Czech Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

In 2005 a mass grave of 54 Germans, mainly members of local SA, executed by Czech resistance after the end of the war around May 8, 1945, was discovered at the outskirts of the town.

City partnerships

External links

Resources