Zruč nad Sázavou

Zruč nad Sázavou
Town
[mapframe not available on SimWiki] Interactive map of Zruč nad Sázavou
Coordinates: 49°44′25″N 15°6′22″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Central Bohemian
District	Kutná Hora
First mentioned	1328
Government
• Mayor	Martin Hujer
Area
• Total	16.37 km2 (6.32 sq mi)
Elevation	344 m (1,129 ft)
Population  (2026-01-01)
• Total	4,777
• Density	291.8/km2 (755.8/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	285 22
Website	www.mesto-zruc.cz

Zruč nad Sázavou (Czech pronunciation: [ˈzrutʃ ˈnat saːzavou]) is a town in Kutná Hora District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 4,800 inhabitants. The town is located on the Sázava River and is known for the Zruč nad Sázavou Castle.

Administrative division

Zruč nad Sázavou consists of five municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):

• Zruč nad Sázavou (4,392)
• Domahoř (7)
• Dubina (59)
• Nesměřice (90)
• Želivec (68)

Etymology

The name Zruč is probably derived from the Old Czech word ruče (i.e. 'fast-flowing', 'rapid'), referring to the flow of the Sázava River below the local castle.

Geography

Zruč nad Sázavou is located about 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Kutná Hora and 51 km (32 mi) southeast of Prague. It lies on the Sázava River, at the northern tip of the Švihov Reservoir. The municipal territory extends into three geomorphological regions: the largest part lies in the Křemešník Highlands, the northern part lies in the Upper Sázava Hills and the eastern part lies in the Vlašim Uplands.

History

The first written mention of Zruč nad Sázavou is from 1328. The settlement was probably founded between 1032 and 1150. For a long time, it was owned by the Kolowrat family. In 1561, it was promoted to a market town and in 1662 it became a town.

After 1885, a railway was built. In 1939, Baťa company built a factory here and the town became known as an industrial centre. The footwear production lasted until 1997.

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1869	1,496	—
1880	1,501	+0.3%
1890	1,463	−2.5%
1900	1,430	−2.3%
1910	1,524	+6.6%

Year	Pop.	±%
1921	1,469	−3.6%
1930	1,422	−3.2%
1950	4,191	+194.7%
1961	3,915	−6.6%
1970	4,433	+13.2%

Year	Pop.	±%
1980	4,960	+11.9%
1991	5,264	+6.1%
2001	5,020	−4.6%
2011	4,842	−3.5%
2021	4,616	−4.7%

Source: Censuses

Transport

Zruč nad Sázavou is located on the railway lines Kutná Hora–Zruč nad Sázavou and Ledeč nad Sázavou–Čerčany.

Sights

The main landmark of the town is the Zruč nad Sázavou Castle, which is as old as the town. In 1781, the castle, especially the interiors, burned down. It was rebuilt to its present pseudo-Gothic form in 1892–1894. Today it is owned by the town and serves as the town hall and as an art gallery. The southern wing is open to the public and contains several expositions.

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was originally built in the early Gothic style. The tower was added in the 16th century. The church was modified in the Baroque style and reconstructed in 1788 after a fire in 1781, but retained its Gothic character.

Notable people

• Petr Linhart (born 1990), handball player

External links

• Official website