Libouchec

Libouchec
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Libouchec
Coordinates: 50°45′45″N 14°2′17″E / 50.76250°N 14.03806°ECoordinates: 50°45′45″N 14°2′17″E / 50.76250°N 14.03806°E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Ústí nad Labem
District	Ústí nad Labem
Area
• Total	28.01 km^2 (10.81 sq mi)
Elevation	336 m (1,102 ft)
Population (2007)
• Total	1,869
• Density	67/km^2 (170/sq mi)
Postal code	403 33 to 403 35
Website	http://www.libouchec.cz/

Libouchec (German: Königswald) is a village and municipality (obec) in Ústí nad Labem District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic.

The municipality covers an area of 28.01 square kilometres (10.81 sq mi), and has a population of 1,869 (as at 31 December 2007).

Libouchec lies approximately 12 kilometres (7 mi) north of Ústí nad Labem and 80 km (50 mi) north of Prague.

Libouchec is situated in the valley of Jilovsky brook, which separates the Czech Central Mountains and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

History

Already in the 10th and 11th century were established two fortresses (in today's Jílové and in Libouchec). Later, in the 13th century, was established around this royal stronghold new village Libouchec. Its original name was Regis Silva (Königswald). But the first official mention was in a chronicle in 1169. The first settlers were Celts and Germanics, from the 5th century initially mainly Slavic peoples and from the late Middle Ages onwards mainly Germans.After World War II almost the entire population of the town was expropriated without compensation and expelled due to their German ethnicity. Libouchec was mainly resettled with Czechs, Slovaks and Roma.

There was a very important Salt trail through Libouchec. Salt was carrying from here to Děčín where it was embarked and sent to inland. There started an important production in manufacture in the end of feudalism (buttons, textile, primitive machines). The nobility from Bynov began in the 16th century with logging, mining of ore and silver. In the 19th century was its surroundings industrial region. There began the production of velvet, liqueurs, mustard and agricultural machines.

Very important was also the railway which has led from Duchcov to Děčín. It was built in 1869 by Mr. Zacharias and was the most expensive railway being built at that time. Unfortunately the running of it was canceled in 2008.

The most important buildings in Libouchec are The Church of the Three St. Kings and the castle. The church was built in 1357, but after burning out it was repaired in the 16th century and from that time has been rebuilt many times. The castle (its original name was Schönstein) was established by Günter from Bünau in the 16th century. From that time has the castle weathered lots of things (Thirty Years' War, fires...) and it has been in the emergency conditions. In 2003 the castle was sold and has since been repaired.

References

• Czech Statistical Office: Municipalities of Ústí nad Labem District