Vracov Explained

Vracov
Settlement Type:Town
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:South Moravian
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Hodonín
Pushpin Map:Czech Republic
Pushpin Relief:1
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates:48.9753°N 17.2111°W
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Petr Fridrich
Established Title:First mentioned
Established Date:1201
Area Total Km2:44.40
Elevation M:183
Population As Of:2024-01-01
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:4502
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+1
Timezone1 Dst:CEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:696 42

Vracov (in Czech pronounced as /ˈvratsof/) is a town in Hodonín District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 4,500 inhabitants.

Etymology

The town's name is derived from the personal name Vrac, which is an obsolete diminutive of the name Vratislav.[2]

Geography

Vracov is located about 14km (09miles) northeast of Hodonín. Larger part of the municipal territory lies in a flat landscape of the Lower Morava Valley. The northern hilly part lies in the Kyjov Hills and include the highest point of Vracov, a hill at 311m (1,020feet) above sea level. Vracovský Pond is located on the outskirts of the town.

History

The first written mention of Vracov is from 1201. In the 1230s, it was owned by Queen Constance of Hungary. Vracov was a royal property, but the development of neighbouring Bzenec reduced its importance. In 1310, Vracov became a part of the Bzenec estate and shared its owners since then. In 1517, Vracov was promoted to a market town. Vracov became a town in 1967.[2]

Transport

Vracov is located on the railway lines Brno–Staré Město and KyjovVeselí nad Moravou.[3]

Sights

The main landmark of Vracov is the Church of Saint Lawrence. It was probably founded by Constance of Hungary in the 1230s. A Renaissance tower was added in 1565. The church was baroque rebuilt in 1722. Two valuable baroque statues stand in front of the entrance – the statue of St. Florian from 1769 and St. John of Nepomuk from 1780.[4] [5]

The second cultural monument in the town is a small Neoclassical chapel dedicated to St. Anne. It dates from the first half of the 19th century.[6]

Notable people

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024. Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. Web site: Historie a symboly. Město Vracov. cs. 2023-06-12.
  3. Web site: Detail stanice Vracov. České dráhy. cs. 2023-11-08.
  4. Web site: St. Vavřinec church. Město Vracov. 2023-06-12.
  5. Web site: Areál kostela sv. Vavřince se dvěma sochami. National Heritage Institute. cs. 2023-06-12.
  6. Web site: Kaplička sv. Anny. National Heritage Institute. cs. 2023-06-12.