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Opatov (Svitavy District)

Coordinates: 49°49′30″N 16°30′17″E / 49.82500°N 16.50472°E / 49.82500; 16.50472
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Opatov
Municipality
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Interactive map of Opatov
Coordinates: 49°49′30″N 16°30′17″E / 49.82500°N 16.50472°E / 49.82500; 16.50472
CountryFile:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic
RegionPardubice
DistrictSvitavy
First mentioned1347
Area
 • Total
29.73 km2 (11.48 sq mi)
Elevation
438 m (1,437 ft)
Population
 (2026-01-01)[1]
 • Total
1,103
 • Density37.10/km2 (96.09/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
569 12
Websitewww.obecopatov.cz

Opatov (German: Abtsdorf) is a municipality and village in Svitavy District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,100 inhabitants.

Etymology

The name is derived from the Czech word opat ('abbot'), meaning "abbot's property". It refers to the fact that the village was initially a property of the monastery in Litomyšl.[2]

Geography

Opatov is located about 8 kilometres (5 mi) north of Svitavy and 56 km (35 mi) southeast of Pardubice. It lies in the Svitavy Uplands. The highest point is at 550 m (1,804 ft) above sea level. The Třebovka River flows through the municipality.

The municipal territory is rich in fishponds, the largest of which are Hvězda and Nový rybník. These are important ornithological sites.[3]

History

The first written mention of Opatov is from 1347. It was founded around 1247 by Abbot Herrman from the monastery in Litomyšl as a village of German settlers. In the 14th century, fishponds were established around Opatov. From 1364 until the Thirty Years' War, Opatov was a market town. During these wars, part of Opatov was looted and burned down. In 1771–1772, the village was hit by famine. A large fire badly damaged the central part of the village in 1841. In 1846, the railway was opened.[4]

Until World War II, Germans formed majority of the population. After World War II, the German-speaking inhabitants were expelled. The hamlets of Královec and Nový Rybník, which were administratively part of Opatov, disappeared as a result. the municipality was then partly resettled by Czechs.[4]

Demographics

Economy

Opatov is known for the Opatov Photovoltaics Plant.

Transport

The I/43 road (from Brno and Svitavy to the Czech–Polish border in Králíky) runs through the municipality.

Opatov is located on the railway line Česká Třebová–Letovice.[7]

Sights

The main landmark of Opatov is the Church of Saint Anthony the Great. It was founded in the first half of the 13th century, but was rebuilt several times. It has a massive Renaissance tower with a Romanesque core from 1240.[4][8]

In the northern part of Opatov is the Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk. It was built in the Baroque style in 1722 and is considered an artistically valuable building. In front of the chapel is a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk from 1720.[9]

Twin towns – sister cities

Opatov is twinned with:[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Population in municipalities as at 1. 1". DataStat. Czech Statistical Office. 2026-05-18.
  2. ↑ Profous, Antonín (1951). Místní jména v Čechách III: M–Ř (in čeština). p. 278.
  3. ↑ "Rybník Nový a Hvězda" (in čeština). Východočeská pobočka České společnosti ornitologické. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Historie" (in čeština). Obec Opatov. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  5. ↑ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in čeština). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  6. ↑ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  7. ↑ "Station details Opatov". České dráhy. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
  8. ↑ "Kostel sv. Antonína se hřbitovní kaplí" (in čeština). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  9. ↑ "Kaple sv. Jana Nepomuckého" (in čeština). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  10. ↑ "Partnerská obec Drezzo" (in čeština). Obec Opatov. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
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