Jindřichov (Šumperk District)

Jindřichov
Municipality
Jindřichov
Coordinates: 50°6′9″N 16°59′21″E / 50.10250°N 16.98917°ECoordinates: 50°6′9″N 16°59′21″E / 50.10250°N 16.98917°E
Country  Czech Republic
Region Olomouc
District Šumperk
Area
 • Total 51.7 km2 (20.0 sq mi)
Elevation 460 m (1,510 ft)
Population (2006)
 • Total 1,411
 • Density 27/km2 (71/sq mi)
Postal code 788 23
Website http://www.jindrichovsu.cz

Jindřichov[1] (German: Heinrichsthal) is a village and municipality (obec) in Šumperk District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic.

Etymology

The village is named after Heinrich (Czech:Jindřich) Kaiser, a second owner of a local paper mill.

Geography

Whole municipality (nearby administered villages included) covers an area of 51.7 square kilometres (20.0 sq mi).

Jindřichov lies approximately 16 kilometres (10 mi) north of Šumperk, 60 km (37 mi) north of Olomouc, and 184 km (114 mi) east of Prague.

The village is situated above Branná in a narrow valley surrounded by Hanušovická vrchovina (literally Hanušovice Highlands) and High Ash Mountains. Nearby landscape is composed of coniferous forests, steep hills, Branná floodplains and meadows. Houses are built along a transregional road and a relative busy railway because Branná valley is one of the few routes from Jeseník District to rest of Czech Republic.

Jindřichov administers near villages and hamlets.

History

Paper mill

Jindřichov is a young village founded in 1953. A settlement in the place existed before this date but it was not officially recognized and was considered to be a part of Nové Losiny A history of Jindřichov was started in 1862 when a paper mill and an apartment building for workers were built. An investor was Joseph Abraham Winternitz. The place was chosen because of rich water source from Branná River and deep forests which can be exploited for cellulose. A railway access with rest of Austria-Hungary was opened in 1888 as well as an access with Prussia via Hlucholazy what caused a growth of factory production and thus building of new workers apartments and necessary infrastructure. Factory had 750 employees in 1920. Its functioning caused strong pollution of Branná river. Because Communist government wasn’t really interested in environmental problems, the situation went better in late 90’s of 20th century. During communist era from 1948-1989, the number of employees increased again. An 8-floors high block of flats was erected for workers accommodation and was described by known Czech architect David Vávra as “the purest example of total incomprehension of place – of a deep High Ash Mountains valley.” He also said: “The block of flats was designed in 80’s by Stavoprojekt company and it looks as a devil illusion till nowaday.”[2] The paper mill was closed in 2011 due financial problems. It caused enormous unemployment. New owner, The Kar Group, announced he wants to start production again however just tens of people will be hired.[3]

Economy

An economy of the village has been always connected with paper mill. Factory’s closure in 2011 caused very high unemployment rate which is 31,7% in 2012. For comparison, the rate was 14,7% in 2008 when the factory was going well.[4]

Remoteness of Jindřichov and bad public transport connection don’t help with finding a job.

Other people are employed in forestry, agriculture and services. Significant source of income comes from tourism.

Demography

Eccentric block of flats

Jindřichov village has never been separate statistical unit, thus all dates are population numbers from Jindřichov together with population from nearby villages without self-administration. 1310 people lived in area administrated by Jindřichov in 2012.

References

  1. ↑ kolektivem, Miloš Melzer, Jindřich Schulz s (1993). Vlastivěda Šumperskeho okresu (Vyd. 1. ed.). Šumperk: Okresní úřad Šumperk a Okresní vlastivědné muzeum Šumperk. ISBN 8085083027.
  2. ↑ Šumná města TV show, episode of Šumný Šumperk
  3. ↑ http://sumpersky.denik.cz/zpravy_region/novy-majitel-papirny-v-jindrichove-rekl-deniku.html
  4. ↑ http://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo/tabparam.jsp?voa=tabulka&cislotab=AGTPR6010PU_OB1.164&vo=null
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