Hořovice

Hořovice
Town
Town Hall
Flag
Coat of arms
Country Czech Republic
Region Central Bohemian
District Beroun
Commune Hořovice
Elevation 375 m (1,230 ft)
Coordinates
Area 9.55 km2 (3.69 sq mi)
Population 6,695 (2007-12-31)
Density 701 / km2 (1,816 / sq mi)
Founded 12th century
Mayor Luboš Čížek
Timezone CET (UTC+1)
 - summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 268 01
Location in the Czech Republic
Wikimedia Commons: Hořovice
Website: www.mesto-horovice.cz/

Hořovice (Czech pronunciation: [ˈɦor̝ovɪtsɛ]; German: Horschowitz or Horowitz) is a small town in Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It is the administrative and economical center of surrounding area. Its most known building is Hořovice Castle.

Contents

History

Archaeological excavations show early settlement in 10th century. This settlement grew at the end of the 13th century and beginning of the 14th century when a trading post was established. This trading post was later rebuilt and expanded to a castle in the gothic style (the so called 'Old Castle').

The family of Hořovice named themselves after the village, the first ones to use it were the siblings Neostup and Habart, in 1233.

The village was made into town in 1322 whereas the 'Old Castle' and the Church remained outside ot the town walls, forming the borough of Velká Víska. This division remained until 20th century: in 1919 Velká Víska became a part of Hořovice.

The common Jewish surname Horovitz/Horowitz (and Hurewicz, Gurevich, also, Horwicz, Gurvich, Hurwicz, Hurwitz, etc.) derives from Hořovice, which at one time had a substantial Jewish population (although not in modern times)[1].

Famous people

References

  1. ^ "Origin of Horowitz name". Horowitz Family Association in Israel. 2007-06-11. http://shlomo.horwitzfam.org/Origin_of_Horowitz_Name.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-15. 

External links