Otázka: Jihlava
Jazyk: Angličtina
Přidal(a): lukas.1993
The town of Jihlava is located in the middle of the Czech and Moravian highlands on the border between Bohemia and Moravia. Today the cadastral area of Jihlava is 8.800 hectares, with a population of more than 50.000.
The Jihlava river name is mentioned first in 1226 and based on prevailing interpretations it was derived from the old Slavonic term, “jegla” – needle / river with sharp boulders/.
A settlement with a Czech speaking population, which originated on the left river bank at the end of 12th century. Later construction of the name origin was derived from “hedgehog” – igel, which also later became a symbol of the town on its seals and also in its coat of arms.
In the middle ages, Jihlava was a particularly important mining town, surrounded by rich deposits of silver. These deposits represented one of principal sources for the royal treasury – thus Jihlava became the oldest royal mining town in the Czech lands, and its prominence extended far beyond the borders of our country. However, later on the town also became famous for its handicrafts, and its cloth manufacturing products in particular became increasingly popular the European continent starting in the 15th century….
The importance of silver mining decreased at the end of the 14th century, when the richest veins of pure silver were depleted. However, the economic development of the city at that time depended on trade and crafts – drapery in particular became the decisive economic branch for the next three centuries. A big fire in 1523 ended the medieval phase of construction in the city, which was renovated in the Renaissance style.
After the damage caused by the Swedish occupation at the end of the Thirty Years War had been cleared, the city was renovated in the baroque spirit and achieved a new economic and cultural development. The Empress Marie Therese invited Dutch drapers to the town and their experience lead to an advancement in production. In the second half of the 18th century Jihlava was the second biggest producer of cloth in the monarchy. The city gradually expanded beyond its tight walls, the square gained street lighting, and the town hall was rebuilt. At the beginning of the 19th century the city gates and narrow gateways were demolished and the facades of houses were adapted in classical style.In the town Jihlava and its nearby neighbourhoods German speaking population lived, the repeatedly forced Germanization was ended by the town´s liberation on 9th May, 1945.
After the victory of anti-nazi forces in WWII and the evacuation of 16.000 Germans from the town Jihlava, for the first time in its history, became purely Czech town.
Today´s Jihlava takes pride above all in a number of early Gothic and Renaissance monuments, the large number and well preserved condition of them makes Jihlava one of the most important towns in Central Europe. In 1982 Jihlava was declared an Urban Historical Reserve, which with its 213 preserved historical buildings and dozens of the movable monuments, combined with its varied past, offers visitors a truly unforgettable experience. After 1989 a sensitive renewal of historic buildings and houses in the town centre started, Jihlava became a seat of several important enterprises, particularly mechanical engineering companies, there was a quick development of the town´s outskirts, and there was contemporary housing development. Since 2000 Jihlava has been the Statutory town and a seat of the Vysočina – Highlands – Region.
Answer those True – False statements / underline the fact in the article/
- Town of Jihlava is located in the middle of the Czech and Moravian highlands on the border between Silesia and Moravia.
- The Jihlava river name is mentioned first in 1226 and based on prevailing interpretations it was derived from the old Slavonic term, “jegla” – needle.
- A hedgehog became a symbol of the town on its seals and also in its coat of arms.
- Jihlava was the most important royal mining town in the Czech lands.
- The city gates and narrow gateways were demolished and the facades of houses were adapted in classical style at the end of 19th
- German speaking population did not live in Jihlava in 20th
- Jihlava was not declared an Urban Historical Reserve.
- There are 312 preserved historical buildings and dozens of the movable monuments.
- After 1989 the town has changed very quickly.
- The Statutory town and a seat of the Vysočina – Highlands – Region Jihlava has been since 2000.
