Lázně Bohdaneč Explained

Lázně Bohdaneč
Settlement Type:Town
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Pardubice
Subdivision Type2:District
Pushpin Map:Czech Republic
Pushpin Relief:1
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates:50.0756°N 15.6797°W
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Josef Štěpanovský
Established Title:First mentioned
Established Date:1343
Area Total Km2:21.79
Elevation M:218
Population As Of:2024-01-01
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:3494
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+1
Timezone1 Dst:CEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:533 41

Lázně Bohdaneč (in Czech pronounced as /ˈlaːzɲɛ ˈboɦdanɛtʃ/, until 1980 Bohdaneč) is a spa town in Pardubice District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,500 inhabitants.

Etymology

The name Bohdaneč is derived from the personal name Bohdanec (diminutive form of Bohdan), meaning "Bohdanec's". In the Middle Ages, the name Bohdanice was also used.[2] In 1980, the name was changed to Lázně Bohdaneč ("Spa Bohdaneč").[3]

Geography

Lázně Bohdaneč is located about 7km (04miles) northwest of Pardubice. It lies in the East Elbe Table, in the Polabí region. The streams Černská strouha and Rajská strouha flow through the municipal territory.

Several fish ponds are located in the northern part of the territory. The largest of them is Bohdanečský, which is together with its surroundings protected as the Bohdanečský rybník National Nature Reserve.[4]

History

The first written mention of Bohdaneč is from 1264.[4] In 1491, it was acquired by the Pernštejn family. During their rule, the greatest development occurred. The Pernštejns built the Opatovice Canal through the area to supply the large pond system and completely changed the character of the landscape. They also laid out today's floor plan of the town and founded four main streets. On the town square, Renaissance burgher houses and the new town hall were built. Most of these houses were destroyed by a large fire in 1772. The fire and subsequent cholera epidemics stopped the development of the town.[5]

Bohdaneč remained a small agricultural town until 1897, when the peat spa was founded.[5] [6]

Economy

The spa is the main employer based in the town. It is focused on the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.[4]

Transport

There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipality.

Sport

The town was home of a football club AFK Atlantic Lázně Bohdaneč, which played the Czech First League in the 1997–98 season. After this season the club was relegated and due to financial problems it was merged with FK Slovan Pardubice in 2000. There is a local football club SK Lázně Bohdaneč, which plays in lower amateur tiers.

Sights

The main landmark of the town square is the Church of the Mary Magdalene. It was built in the Baroque style in 1728–1737.[7]

Gočár Pavilion is a Cubist building that is part of the spa. It was built according to the design of the leading Czech architect Josef Gočár in 1911.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024. Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. Book: Profous, Antonín. Místní jména v Čechách I: A–H. 109. 1947. cs.
  3. Web site: Jak jsme žili: lázeňství v Bohdanči. Deník.cz. cs. 2019-08-11. 2024-07-12.
  4. Web site: Lázně Bohdaneč. Regionální svazek obcí Bohdanečsko. cs. 2024-07-12.
  5. Web site: Historie. Město Lázně Bohdaneč. cs. 2021-10-13.
  6. Web site: Lázeňství. Město Lázně Bohdaneč. cs. 2021-10-13.
  7. Web site: Kostel sv. Maří Magdalény. National Heritage Institute. cs. 2022-07-11.
  8. Web site: Gočárův pavilon. National Heritage Institute. cs. 2022-07-11.