Kamenice nad Lipou

[edit] Kamenice nad Lipou is located about 18 kilometres (11 mi) southwest of Pelhřimov and 38 km (24 mi) west of Jihlava. It lies in the Křemešník Highlands. The highest point is at 682 m (2,238 ft) above sea level. The Kamenice river flows through the town. The area is rich in small fishponds.

[edit] The square Náměstí Čsl. armády The first written mention of Kamenice is from 1267. It was founded as a settlement below a castle in the early 13th century. In honour of a linden tree planted in the castle garden in 1248, the settlement added nad Lipou (meaning 'above a linden tree') into its name. Kamenice nad Lipou regularly changed its owners, who belonged more to the lower nobles. Notable was the rule of Jan of Šelmberk in 1476–1497, during which Kamenice obtained various rights and privileges, and the Malovec family, which had the Gothic castle rebuilt in the Renaissance style in 1580–1583. In 1623, the manor was bought by the family of Paradies of Escheide, which owned it for 70 years and oppressed the inhabitants and deprived the town of its privileges. The town economically prospered in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the first half of the 18th century, silver and iron ores were mined and subsequently hammer mills were founded. In 1839, a wool classing workshop was set up in one of the castle's wings. In 1875, glassworks replaced the hammer mills. In 1906, the narrow-gauge railway was built.

[edit] Historical populationYearPop.±%18693,663—    18803,546−3.2%18903,329−6.1%19003,265−1.9%19103,369+3.2%YearPop.±%19213,194−5.2%19302,948−7.7%19502,958+0.3%19613,149+6.5%19703,451+9.6%YearPop.±%19803,951+14.5%19914,202+6.4%20014,220+0.4%20113,893−7.7%20213,603−7.4%Source: Censuses

[edit] The I/34 road (part of the European route E551, the section from Jindřichův Hradec to Pelhřimov) passes through the municipal territory. Kamenice nad Lipou is located on the Jindřichův Hradec narrow-gauge railway, leading from Jindřichův Hradec to Obrataň. It serves mostly as a tourist attraction.

[edit] Kamenice nad Lipou hosts the annual summer festival Hračkobraní, which continues the tradition of toy making in the town. The first year of the festival took place in 2006. The festival includes a presentation of wooden toys and their manufacturers and designers, workshops with the opportunity to try making simple toys, and other accompanying programs.

[edit] Kamenice nad Lipou Castle The most notable sight is the Kamenice nad Lipou Castle. Its current appearance is from 1842, when it was rebuilt in the Neoclassical style. Today it is owned by the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, which has a depository here, and an exhibition for the public. The southern wing serves as the town museum. The castle includes an English park. The 700–800 years old linden tree after which the town was named is still in the park. The Church of All Saints is a Renaissance building with a Gothic core. The tower was added in the 17th century.

[edit] Vítězslav Novák (1870–1949), composer Ella Tvrdková (1878–1918), opera singer