Jiříkov (Czech pronunciation: [ˈjɪr̝iːkof]; German: Georgswalde) is a town in Děčín District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,500 inhabitants.

Jiříkov
Centre of the town with the Church of Saint George
Centre of the town with the Church of Saint George
Flag of Jiříkov
Coat of arms of Jiříkov
Jiříkov is located in Czech Republic
Jiříkov
Jiříkov
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°59′40″N 14°34′15″E / 50.99444°N 14.57083°E / 50.99444; 14.57083
Country Czech Republic
RegionÚstí nad Labem
DistrictDěčín
First mentioned1346
Government
 • MayorJindřich Jurajda
Area
 • Total
13.31 km2 (5.14 sq mi)
Elevation
368 m (1,207 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total
3,538
 • Density270/km2 (690/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
407 53
Websitewww.jirikov.cz

Administrative parts

edit

The town is made up of the town parts of Filipov, Loučné, Nový Jiříkov and Starý Jiříkov.

Etymology

edit

The original German name was derived from Dorf im Georgswalde (i.e. "the village in Georg's forest"), which was shortened to Georgswalde. The Czech name Jiříkov means "Jiří's" and derived from the personal name Jiří, which is a Czech variant of Georg.[2]

Geography

edit

Jiříkov is located about 34 kilometres (21 mi) northeast of Děčín and 42 km (26 mi) northwest of Liberec. It lies in the salient region of Šluknov Hook, on the border with Germany. The town is urbanistically fused with the neighbouring German town of Ebersbach-Neugersdorf.

Jiříkov is situated in the Lusatian Highlands. The stream Jiříkovský potok flows through the town.

History

edit

The first written mention of Jiříkov is from 1346. In the 15th century, it belonged to the Šluknov estate. The village of Filipov was founded in 1681 by the then-owner of the estate, Philipp Sigmund of Dietrichstein, and named after him. Flax was grown in the vicinity of Jiříkov, which was further processed, but due to the wars, the linen craft began to flourish only from 1751. In 1753, the village was promoted to a market town by Empress Maria Theresa.[3]

The first textile factory was founded in 1807, and during the 19th century Jiříkov was industrialized. In 1873, the railway was opened. The population grew rapidly and in 1914 Jiříkov became a town. In the interwar period, disagreements between the Czech and German populations began, and in 1938 Jiříkov was annexed by Nazi Germany. After World War II, the Germans were expelled and Jiříkov was repopulated by Czech settlers.[3]

Demographics

edit
Historical population
YearPop.±%
18698,220—    
18808,281+0.7%
18908,754+5.7%
190010,084+15.2%
191011,096+10.0%
YearPop.±%
19219,452−14.8%
193010,078+6.6%
19504,012−60.2%
19614,278+6.6%
19703,945−7.8%
YearPop.±%
19803,905−1.0%
19913,638−6.8%
20013,920+7.8%
20113,795−3.2%
20213,460−8.8%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport

edit

On the Czech-German border are the road and railway border crossings Jiříkov / Ebersbach. The railway that runs through Jiříkov is unused.

Sights

edit

The main landmark of Jiříkov is the Church of Saint George. It was built in the Baroque style in 1724–1728, on the site of an old Gothic church.[6]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ Profous, Antonín (1949). Místní jména v Čechách II: CH–L (in Czech). pp. 552–553.
  3. ^ a b "Z historie města Jiříkov" (in Czech). Město Jiříkov. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
  4. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  5. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  6. ^ "Kostel sv. Jiří" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
edit