Most
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| Area: | 86.9 km² |
| Population: | 67,905 (2005) |
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| Missing image Czech_city_Most.png Map of the Czech Republic highlighting Most | |
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Most (meaning the bridge in English, German: Brüx) is a city in the northwest of the Czech Republic, in Ústí nad Labem Region. It is situated in picturesque region of the volcanic origin called Czech Central Mountains (Czech: České středohoří) approximately 77 km (48 miles) northwest of Prague along the Bílina River and southwest of Ústí nad Labem.
Most is the heart of the northern Bohemian lignite-mining and important industrial railway junction. Industry in Most produces ceramics and most importantly steel and chemicals. Along with improvement of environmental conditions agriculture takes root in this area (apples, vine).
As a young city Most doesn't have many historical sights, yet there are two important: Gnevin Castle and moved Gothic Church. On the other hand there are many amusement facilities, you can visit: Planetarium, Observatory, Autodrom, Aquadrom or Hipodrom.
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History
The Latin Cosmas Chronicle mentions a Slavonic settlement below the Gnevin Castle (Czech: Hněvín) called Gnevin Pons (Czech: Hněvínský most) in 1040. Through the swamps there led a merchant route from Prague to Freiberg. The network of wooden bridges was built to provide comfortable passages through this territory. Hneva from the Hrabisics kin established military stronghold to protect caravans. Under stronghold the village was founded creating foundation stone of medieval Most.
In 1227 Kojata, the last from Hrabisics passed his kin property to cloister Knights of the Cross but since 1238 the royal town was owned by the Premyslides and it became rich city with many churches. Premysl Otakar II, Jan Lucembursky and Karel IV all granted city all its city rights. In 14th century, due to colonization city became predominantly German.
On the turn of 15th and 16th century city was hit by several fires. About 1517, city reconstruction began making foundations of several significant facilities. New dean's church had been founded. Rennaisance cityhall constructed.
During the thirty year's war, the city was occupied by Swedish troops.
In the 1970s, the town was completely relocated due to the expansion of the coal fields, thus completely destroying old town with all of it's historical sights. However one of these was preserved, the government and the people successfully moved the medieval Gothic Church of St. Mary to the new town with painstainkingly slow speed of roughly 1 meter per day to it's new place. This building was once mentioned in Guiness Book of Records as the heaviest building ever moved on wheels (beaten (http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/gwr5/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=53297) in 1999).
Recent city
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Nowadays (2005), Most is supposed to be one of the darkest cities of Czech republic. During the communist era it turned to dusty and dirty miner town. The city of Most is known for its huge share of people living in panelaks. Decimated environment along with urbanistic development makes feeling of city even more depressive.
Social situation of local people is bad. With unemployment rate of nearly 25% (2005) is this locality far the worst in the Czech Republic. This number is caused by low production or even closure of local mines.
Bright side is that city, due to heavy social and EU funding and developement of local business and industry, flourishes and things are quickly getting better.
City districts
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- Well known area of Rudolice (Chánov) had beed created during era of communism to separate Roma people (Gypsies) out of society. During next few years it became completely devastated ghetto.
- Vtelno used to be a village near Most. When new city was built near it, it became it's integral part. It has church, historical baroque manor and many monoliths and sculptures that had been collected during era of demolition of villages in region (due to coal mining).
Neighbor cities
Litvínov, Chomutov, Žatec, Louny, Teplice
Few pictures
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External links
- The city of Most - Czech Republic (The official website) (http://www.mumost.cz/english/index.htm)
Reference
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Merriam Webster's Geographical Dictionary, 3rd editioncs:Most (město)
de:Most_(Tschechien) nl:Most_(stad) pl:Most (miasto w Czechach)