Velichovky

Municipality in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

Flag

Coat of arms

50°21′25″N 15°50′30″E / 50.35694°N 15.84167°E / 50.35694; 15.84167Country

Czech RepublicRegion Hradec Králové District NáchodFirst mentioned1389Area

• Total7.99 km² (3.08 sq mi)Elevation

302 m (991 ft)Population

(2023-01-01)^[1]

• Total763 • Density95/km² (250/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postal code

552 11

Websitewww.obecvelichovky.cz

Velichovky is a spa municipality and village in Náchod District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 800 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The village of Hustířany is an administrative part of Velichovky.

Etymology

The oldest form of the name was Velichov. It was derived from the personal name Velich, meaning "Velich's". Soon after its first appearance, the name was changed to its present form, which is diminutive and plural of Velichov.^[2]

Geography

Velichovky is located about 23 kilometres (14 mi) west of Náchod and 16 km (10 mi) south of Hradec Králové. It lies in the East Elbe Table. The highest point is the flat hill Za Kostelem at 327 m (1,073 ft) above sea level.

History

The first written mention of Velichovky is from 1389.^[3]

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1869	830	—
1880	923	+11.2%
1890	876	−5.1%
1900	773	−11.8%
1910	772	−0.1%

Year	Pop.	±%
1921	770	−0.3%
1930	730	−5.2%
1950	744	+1.9%
1961	686	−7.8%
1970	656	−4.4%

Year	Pop.	±%
1980	662	+0.9%
1991	690	+4.2%
2001	747	+8.3%
2011	737	−1.3%
2021	722	−2.0%

Source: Censuses^[4]^[5]

Economy

Velichovky is known for a peat spa, which was founded in 1897.^[6] It focuses on rehabilitation and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.^[7]

Transport

There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipality.

Sights

The main landmark of Velichovky is the Church of the Transfiguration. It was built in the Renaissance style in 1616.^[8]^[9]

The main spa building is a large house, built in the Functionalist style in 1923. For its architectural value, it is also protected as a cultural monument.^[10]

Notable people

Bavor Rodovský mladší of Hustířany (c. 1526 – c. 1600), alchemist

Twin towns – sister cities

Velichovky is twinned with:^[11]

Jedlina-Zdrój, Poland

References

^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2023". Czech Statistical Office. 2023-05-23.
^ Profous, Antonín (1957). Místní jména v Čechách IV: S–Ž (in Czech). p. 494.
^ "Vznik obce Velichovky" (in Czech). Obec Velichovky. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Náchod" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 15–16.
^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
^ "Historie" (in Czech). Lázně Velichovky. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
^ "Současnost" (in Czech). Lázně Velichovky. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
^ "Kostel Proměnění Páně – Velichovky". vychodni-cechy.info (in Czech). Retrieved 2024-02-08.
^ "Kostel Proměnění Páně s ohrazením a schodištěm" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
^ "Lázeňský dům" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
^ "Česko-polská mezinárodní spolupráce" (in Czech). Obec Velichovky. Retrieved 2020-09-03.