Letohrad

Letohrad ( German: Geiersberg, Czech to 1950: Kyšperk ) is a city in Okres Ústí nad Orlicí in the Czech Republic. It is located six kilometers south-east of Žamberk.

Geography

Letohrad is located in the foothills of the Eagle Mountains ( Podorlická pahorkatina ) on both sides of the Silent Eagle. Neighboring towns are Pastviny and Nekoř in the north, Líšnice in the northeast, Jablonné nad Orlicí in the east, in the southeast Verměřovice, Dolni Dobrouč in the south, Lanšperk ( Landsberg) and Hnánice the southwest, Žampach in the west and Žamberk in the northwest.

History

Located on a rocky promontory castle Geiersberg was first mentioned in 1308 in the King Saaler Chronicle. It was the center of an independent dominion, which was owned by the Ješek, a member of the Lords of Sandbach then. He is said to have damaged the adjacent rule Landsberg, which belonged to the monastery of King's Hall. 1349-1370 is assigned as the owner of the castle, his son followed Jenis Ješeks son Buzek. From it acquired the castle and dominion Geiersberg before 1396 Nicholas / Mikuláš of pot stone on Sandbach, who joined the reign Geiersberg with the rule of Sandbach. This castle Geiersberg / Kyšperk lost its importance as manor remained uninhabited.

Below the castle was built in the valley of the same settlement, which was declared a town in 1514. After the death of Zdeněk Žampach of pot and stone in 1562 was 1568, a division of inheritance between his sons and Zdeněk Burian January. The younger Zdeněk received it in turn, self- rule Geiersberg with six villages, but was initially under the tutelage of his older brother in January Burian. This built in Geiersberg at the site of an estate, a castle, which is occupied for the year 1570. AfterJan Burian Zdeněk death in 1574 had the indebted estate Geiersberg sell. End of the 16th century Geiersberg had a brewery with malt house and the fermenting room and the privileges of two month stores and of a carnival and the Embarrassing jurisdiction. By this time the city, castle and lordship Geiersberg in the possession of Adam von Waldstein, from which it Styrian Protestant Georg von Stubenberg acquired on 19 March 1601. In his forced emigration in 1929 he transferred the estates to his only grandson Georg Wolf of loose stone. He was the son of George of Stubenbergs only daughter Anne († 1624), the Catholics Georg Christoph lots of stone († 1622) had married.

After further changes of ownership came Geiersberg 1653 to the Vitanovský of Vlčkovice. Hynek Dietrich / Dětřich Vitanovský of Vlčkovice ( Hynek Vitanovský z Vlčkovic ) freed the subjects from the drudgery and built a hospital for the poor and the elderly. In addition, the establishment of ten guilds goes back to him. In 1680 he began with the reconstruction of the fort to a castle in the early Baroque style, but died a year later. His widow Johanna Magdalena, born of Harras, who soon married his second wife, Norbert Leopold of Libštejn - Kolowrat completed the palace to 1685, but died a short time later. Geiersberg with the associated villages inherited her second husband. 1706 took over his son Franz Karl von Kolowrat ( František Karel Libštejnský z Kolovrat ) the rule Geiersberg, belonged to the then 17 villages. He began in 1714 with the construction of the chapel of St.. John of Nepomuk, the 1734-1736 under the owner Johann Wenzel von Breda was completed. 1776 inherited Therese of Breda, married Cavriani city and rule Geiersberg. They led in 1800 extensive alterations to the castle, but only could be completed by her son Peter Marcolini Ferrati, who was married to Maria Anna Cavriani since 1795. An economic upswing took place in the 19th century with the founding of several match factories. 1820 was built by wild sword from lord Marcolini Ferrati a road. 1824 a fire destroyed almost all the houses on the market square. 1834 inherited Therese Marcolini Ferrati city and rule Geiersberg. They married in 1836 with Karl von Nimptsch, which they transferred their property. By following the railway line Chlumec nad Cidlinou - Mittelwalde, which reached Geiersberg 1874, also the textile industry and electro- technical companies developed. After the death of Count Karl von Nimptsch 1877 inherited Geiersberg his daughter Anna of Nimptsch, who was married to Count Josef Felix Adolf von Stubenberg. 1890 were counted 1800 inhabitants. 1893, the mechanical weaving Louis White was founded in the district Heald, 1901 in Geiersberg the textile factory Fischl Angel. After the death of Countess Anna of Stubenberg - Nimtsch 1916 followed her in possession of her son Charles, who died in Bad Reichenhall on June 9, 1928. In whose descendants the Geiersberg / Kyšperk castle remained until the expropriation of 1945.

After the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918 Geiersberg received official place name Kyšperk. 1950 initially was renamed Orličné. Since this place name was rejected by the population, it was eventually renamed Letohrad. In the same year the villages were Rotnek (now Cervena ) incorporated, Kunčice and Orlice.

After the political changes of 1989, including the baroque town houses on the market square repaired and renovated the facades. Every year there is a pilgrimage to the chapel of St. Nepomuk place and an international music festival. In winter biathlon roller ski championships in the Czech Republic are aligned in Letohrad.

Community structure

The town includes the villages Letohrad Cervena ( Roteneck ) with Janko Vice ( Janko joke) and Pustiny ( deserted village ) and Kunčice ( Kunz village) and Orlice ( Heald ).

Attractions

• The Letohrad castle was rebuilt 1680-85 from the former fort and expanded in 1800.
• The St. Wenceslas Church initially served as a chapel. It was rebuilt and expanded in 1726 to the parish church. The stucco was created by the Italian sculptor Giovanni Materna.
• Marketplace with baroque houses and arcades
• The castle Geiersberg was first mentioned in 1308 and devastated 1714-1734.
• The construction of the chapel of St.. John of Nepomuk was begun after 1714 by the lord Franz Karl von Kolowrat 1734-1736 and completed under John Wenzel von Breda. Part of the building materials came from the ruins of the castle Geiersberg / Kyšperk. The Stations of the Cross painted in 1866 the Geiersberger painter Dominik circulation
• The Craft Museum in an old Baroque memory

Personalities

• František Vladislav Hek (1769-1847), died in Geiersberg
• Josef Korbel (1909-1977), diplomat and father of Madeleine Albright
• Dominik circulation ( * 1792 in Mlýnice ( Lenz village) at Roth Waser, † 1872 in Geiersberg ), church painter and sculptor who lived from 1830 in Geiersberg; and his sons
• Ignatz circulation (1821-1951), painter and Academic
• Johann (1825-1916), Academic painter and photographer

Sister City

• Hausen am Albis, Switzerland
• Niemcza, Poland