Havlíčkův Brod

Havlíčkův Brod is a district town in the center of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands on the Sázava river. Its population is about 24,000 people.

History

Settlement in Brod has been documented as far back as the 12th century. There was an easy passage across the Sázava river (brod means "ford" in English). In the 13th century, silver was found near the town. After that Smil of Lichtenburg invited German miners to settle the area. The town which was first called Brod and later Smilův Brod (Ford of Smil), was renamed to Německý Brod (German Ford). At the beginning of the 14th century, the stone city walls were built, but later during the Hussite Wars in 1422 the city was burned down by Jan Žižka. The town was resettled in 1429 by Czech people. In 1637 Německý Brod was promoted to royal city. After The Second World War, the city was renamed to Havlíčkův Brod (Ford of Havlíček), after Karel Havlíček Borovský, famous writer and journalist.

Interesting places

The Old Town Hall in the square is Renaissance style. There is a skeleton under its clock. According to a story this skeleton was the traitor Hnát.

Havlíček´s house is built in the New-Gothic style. It is connected with life of Karel Havlíček Borovský. In this house, Havlíček was arrested and taken to exile. Today Havlíček´s Museum is there.

The Church at the corner of the square in Baroque style. It is famous for one of the oldest bells in Bohemia.

On the square is Plague column and fountain with statue of Triton too.

Today the city has a medical hospital, mental hospital, brewery, sport area with hockey arena, gym and swimming pool.