Nové Město na Moravě (; ) is a town in Žďár nad Sázavou District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 9,800 inhabitants. Located in the Křižanov Highlands, Nové Město na Moravě is a winter sports resort, known primarily for hosting biathlon competitions.

Among the most important feudal owners of the town was the Pernštejn family, during whose rule in the 16th century the town experienced its greatest prosperity. The historic town centre with Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical houses is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument zone.

Administrative division

Nové Město na Moravě consists of ten municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):

  • Nové Město na Moravě (7,250)
  • Hlinné (166)
  • Jiříkovice (235)
  • Maršovice (246)
  • Olešná (241)
  • Petrovice (211)
  • Pohledec (462)
  • Rokytno (215)
  • Slavkovice (431)
  • Studnice (31)

Etymology

The name Nové Město na Moravě literally means 'New Town in Moravia' in Czech.

Geography

Nové Město na Moravě is located about east of Žďár nad Sázavou and northwest of Brno. It lies in the Křižanov Highlands, in the highest parts of the whole Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The highest point is Kopeček at above sea level. The upper course of the Bobrůvka River flows through the town and supplies several small fishponds there. Most of the municipal territory is located in the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area.

History

The first written mention of Nové Město na Moravě is from 1267 under the name Bočkov. It was founded during the colonization by royal burgrave Boček of Obřany after the nearby Cistercian monastery in Žďár nad Sázavou was established in 1252, not later than in 1255. The name Nové Město was used for the first time in a deed of King Wenceslaus II from 1293 and it was first referred to as a market town.

In 1312, Nové Město was inherited by Lords of Lipá. Probably in the late 14th century, they had built a fortress here. In 1496, it was acquired by Vilém II of Pernštejn. During the rule of the Pernštejn family (especially under Vratislav II of Pernštejn in 1561–1582), the town experienced an economic boom. The Renaissance town hall was built and the fortress was rebuilt into a Renaissance castle. The Pernštejn family owned Nové Město until 1588. The next owners were Vilém Dubský, who reconstructed the castle, Archbishop Franz von Dietrichstein, and the Kratzer family, who took care of the economic prosperity of the estate and supported glass making and ironworks in the estate.

Economy

The largest employer based in the town is the local hospital. There are only small and medium-sized industrial enterprises.

Despite its mountainous location, the town has a long tradition of manufacturing. Among the significant employers are Sporten, producer of ski equipment, and Medin, producer of medical instruments.

Sport

thumb|Vysočina Aréna

The town is a prominent Czech winter sports resort. The Vysočina Aréna hosted the 2013 and 2024 Biathlon World Championships and since the 2011–12 season, the Biathlon World Cup event has been held here more or less regularly. It also hosted events of the Tour de Ski in 2007–08 and 2008–09.

Mountain bike races are also being organised in Nové Město na Moravě, hosting races at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup level as well as the cross-country event of the 2016 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships.

The local football club SFK Vrchovina Nové Město na Moravě plays in the Moravian-Silesian Football League, the third tier of the Czech football system.

Sights

thumb|Horácko Gallery in the Nové Město na Moravě Castle

In the middle of the historic town centre is the square Vratislavovo náměstí, named after Vratislav of Pernštejn, where most of the landmarks of the town are located. The elongated square is lined with Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical houses. The historic centre is protected as an urban monument zone.

In the middle of the square is the Church of Saint Cunigunde, the oldest monument in the town. The first mention of the church is from 1362. It has façade sgraffito decoration by native artist Karel Němec, created in 1928–1929. There is also a fountain by Karel Němec on the square.

  • Waalre, Netherlands
  • Ziano di Fiemme, Italy

References

  • Official tourist portal