Mělník (; ) is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 20,000 inhabitants. The town is located at the confluence of the two longest Czech rivers, Elbe and Vltava, and is one of the largest river ports of the Czech Republic. Mělník lies in one of the most important agricultural areas of the country and is known for its production of wine.

Mělník is among the longest continuously inhabited locations in the country. It was promoted to a town in 1274 and then it became a dowry town ruled by the queens of Bohemia. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument zone. The main landmark of Mělník is the Mělník Castle.

Etymology

The name is derived from the Slavic word mělnit, here meaning 'to crumble'. Originally, Mělník was the name of a hill formed by crumbling Cretaceous rocks.

Geography

thumb|Aerial view of Mělník

Mělník is located about north of Prague. It is situated on the right bank of the Elbe, at the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers.

The town lies in the Polabí lowlands. The southwestern part of the municipal territory lies in the Central Elbe Table, the northeastern part lies in the Jizera Table. The highest point is the hill Chloumeček at above sea level.

History

In the 5th and 6th century, many Slavic tribes lived here and the tribe of Pšovans created its main settlement in Mělník. Saint Ludmila (the grandmother of Saint Wenceslaus), who married the Bohemian prince Bořivoj I, belonged to this tribe. Coins of the princess Emma, who died in 1005 or 1006, are the first demonstration of the existence of Mělník. In November 1274, Mělník gained the status of town from King Ottokar II and later became a dowry town belonging to queens of Bohemia.

In 1449, the town gained the right to decide on its own affairs, through councilors headed by the mayor. The town gained fame in the first half of the 16th century thanks to viticulture, the origins of which date back to the end of the 9th century, but the preconditions for its real development were created only by Charles IV, who brought vines from Burgundy to Mělník.

Economy

The largest industrial employers based in the town are Erwin Junker Grinding Technology (manufacturer of grinding tools) and Vibracoustic CZ (manufacturer of rubber products), both employing more than 500 people. The largest non-industrial employer is the Mělník Hospital.

Viticulture

Mělník gives its name to the Mělnická wine region, one of the most northerly in Europe. Every year, at the end of September, a wine festival is held in Mělník on the Feast of St. Wenceslaus.

According to legend, the Great Moravian Prince Svatopluk I sent the Bohemian Prince Bořivoj I a barrel of wine to celebrate the birth of his son Spytihněv I. It is said that Ludmila subsequently had vines brought from Moravia and planted not far from her birthplace, the fortified settlement of Pšov, today's Mělník. Ludmila's grandson St. Wenceslaus personally took care of the vineyards, and became the patron saint of winemakers.

Mělník is one of the largest river ports in the Czech Republic and a place of container transshipment. The land part of the port has an area of .

Sights

thumb|Church of Saints Peter and Paul

thumb|Prague Gate

The square Náměstí Míru is the historic centre of Mělník. It is lined with valuable Renaissance and Neo-Renaissance houses. The main landmark of the square is the town hall with Renaissance archways, Gothic bay window of the Chapel of St. Barbara, and a Baroque tower. The Church of the Fourteen Holy Helpers with the building of former Capuchin monastery are also located on the square.

  • Lučenec, Slovakia
  • Oranienburg, Germany
  • Przeworsk, Poland
  • Sandanski, Bulgaria (the municipality also includes Melnik)
  • Wetzikon, Switzerland

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References

  • Culture in Mělník on mekuc.cz