Loučeň Explained

Loučeň
Settlement Type:Market town
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Central Bohemian
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Nymburk
Pushpin Map:Czech Republic
Pushpin Relief:1
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates:50.2856°N 15.0206°W
Established Title:First mentioned
Established Date:1223
Area Total Km2:19.03
Elevation M:195
Population As Of:2024-01-01
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:1392
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+1
Timezone1 Dst:CEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:289 37

Loučeň is a market town in Nymburk District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,400 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The villages of Patřín, Studce and Studečky are administrative parts of Loučeň.

Etymology

The name is derived from the personal name Loučen (in old Czech written as Lúčen; probably a variant of the name Lukáš), meaning "Loučen's (court)".[2]

Geography

Loučeň is located about 11km (07miles) north of Nymburk and 37km (23miles) northeast of Prague. It lies on the border of the Jizera Table and Central Elbe Table. The highest point is at 262m (860feet) above sea level. There are several small fishponds around the market town.

History

The first written mention of Loučeň is in a deed of Bishop Peregrin from 1223. Until 1363, the village was divided into several parts with different owners. In 1363, all the parts were bought by the Barons of Kopidlno. It is not known how long this family held Loučeň. At the beginning of the 16th century, the village was a property of the Křinecký of Ronov family.[3]

After 1599, the estate was bought by the Berka of Dubá family. Their properties were confiscated after the Battle of White Mountain and Loučeň was acquired by the Waldstein family in 1622. During the Thirty Years' War, in 1630 and 1639, the village was burned down. In 1756–1808, Loučeň was held by the Fürstenberg family, and then the estate was inherited by the Thurn und Taxis family, who were the last noble owners of Loučeň. In 1906, Loučeň was promoted to a market town.[3]

Transport

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

Sights

Loučeň is known for the Loučeň Castle. The Baroque castle was built on the site of a dilapidated medieval fortress in 1703–1714.[3] Today it is open to the public and partially serves as a hotel. The castle also includes a large castle park with a set of labyrinths.[4]

Next to the castle a chapel was built, later rebuilt into the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.[3]

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 II: CH–L. 493–494. 1949. cs.
  3. Web site: Historie. Městys Loučeň. cs. 2024-04-13.
  4. Web site: Zámek Loučeň – zámek, kde to žije. CzechTourism. cs. 2022-08-24.