# Litovel

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litovel
> Source revision: 1343822943
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{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Litovel
| other_name              = 
| settlement_type         = [Town](/source/Obec)
<!-- images -->
| image_skyline           = Litovel - Square of Přemysl Otakar II.jpg
| image_caption           = Přemysla Otakara II. Square
| image_flag              = Vlajka města Litovel.png
| image_shield            = Znak města Litovel.png
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = {{CZE}}
| subdivision_type1       = [Region](/source/Regions_of_the_Czech_Republic)
| subdivision_name1       = [Olomouc](/source/Olomouc_Region)
| subdivision_type2       = [District](/source/Districts_of_the_Czech_Republic)
| subdivision_name2       = [Olomouc](/source/Olomouc_District)
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
| image_map               = 
| map_caption             = 
| pushpin_map             = Czech Republic
| pushpin_relief          = 1
| pushpin_map_caption     = Location in the Czech Republic
| coordinates             = {{coord|49|42|4|N|17|4|34|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes   = 
<!-- government type, leaders -->
| leader_title            = Mayor
| leader_name             = Viktor Kohout
<!-- established -->
| established_title       = First mentioned
| established_date        = 1287
<!-- area -->
| area_footnotes          = 
| area_total_km2          = 46.40
<!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes     = 
| elevation_m             = 233
<!-- population -->
| population_as_of        = 2025-01-01
| population_footnotes    = <ref>{{cite web|title=Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2025|url=https://csu.gov.cz/produkty/population-of-municipalities-t4l3n8d2iw|publisher=[Czech Statistical Office](/source/Czech_Statistical_Office)|date=2025-05-16}}</ref>
| population_total        = 9510
| population_density_km2  = auto
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1               = [CET](/source/Central_European_Time)
| utc_offset1             = +1
| timezone1_DST           = [CEST](/source/Central_European_Summer_Time)
| utc_offset1_DST         = +2
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type        = Postal code
| postal_code             = 784 01
| area_code_type          = 
| area_code               = 
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website                 = {{URL|https://www.litovel.eu/}}
| footnotes               = 
}}
'''Litovel''' ({{IPA|cs|ˈlɪtovɛl}}; {{langx|de|Littau}}) is a town in [Olomouc District](/source/Olomouc_District) in the [Olomouc Region](/source/Olomouc_Region) of the [Czech Republic](/source/Czech_Republic). It has about 9,500 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an [urban monument zone](/source/Cultural_monument_(Czech_Republic)).

==Administrative division==
Litovel consists of 11 municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Census 2021 – basic data|url=https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4690&katalog=33475&pvo=SLD21043-CO|work=Public Database|publisher=[Czech Statistical Office](/source/Czech_Statistical_Office)|language=cs|date=2022}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
*Litovel (6,910)
*Březové (205)
*Chudobín (213)
*Myslechovice (394)
*Nasobůrky (438)
*Nová Ves (204)
*Rozvadovice (243)
*Savín (129)
*Tři Dvory (254)
*Unčovice (378)
*Víska (91)
{{div col end}}

==Geography==
Litovel is located about {{convert|16|km|0}} northwest of [Olomouc](/source/Olomouc). It lies in a flat agricultural landscape in the [Upper Morava Valley](/source/Upper_Morava_Valley) lowland. The highest point is the hill Šumina at {{convert|418|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. The [Morava](/source/Morava_(river)) River and six its branches flow through the town, which gave it the nickname "Moravian [Venice](/source/Venice)".<ref>{{cite web |title=Facts about Litovel|url=https://www.litovel.eu/en/english/welcome-to-our-town/facts-about-litovel.html|publisher=Město Litovel|access-date=2022-01-14}}</ref>

The northern part of the municipal territory lies in the [Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area](/source/Litovelsk%C3%A9_Pomorav%C3%AD_Protected_Landscape_Area), named after the town. 

==History==
thumb|Map of Litovel ({{circa|1760}})
The first written mention of Litovel is from 1287, older documents have been proven to be [forgeries](/source/Forgery). The town was founded between 1252 and 1256 by King [Ottokar II](/source/Ottokar_II_of_Bohemia).<ref>{{cite web |title=730 let od nejstarší písemné zmínky o Litovli|url=https://www.litovel.eu/cs/mesto/fotogalerie/udalo-se/730-let-od-nejstarsi-pisemne-zminky-o-litovli.html|publisher=Město Litovel|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-15}}</ref>

In 1327, King [John of Bohemia](/source/John_of_Bohemia) allowed the town to build walls. The royal town developed until the [Hussite Wars](/source/Hussite_Wars). After the war, Litovel asked for the assignment of a protector and came under the protection of the Vlašim family from [Úsov](/source/%C3%9Asov). In the 16th century, the lords of Boskovice acquired the Úsov dominion, Litovel became their property and lost its statute of a royal town.<ref name=history>{{cite web |title=Historie města|url=https://www.litovel.eu/cs/turistika/historie-mesta.html|publisher=Město Litovel|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-15}}</ref>

In the early 17th century, Litovel was acquired by the [House of Liechtenstein](/source/House_of_Liechtenstein) and lost its significance. The town was further affected by the [Thirty Years' War](/source/Thirty_Years'_War), during which was plundered by the [Swedish army](/source/Military_of_the_Swedish_Empire), and by plague epidemics.<ref name=history/>

In 1850, Litovel became a district town and began to grow with the influx of inhabitants from the surroundings. The Czech population began to prevail over the German, and the town became a centre of Czech culture and education. At the beginning of the 20th century, trade and industry began to develop rapidly, and new factories for processing agricultural products were established.<ref name=history/>

==Demographics==
{{historical populations
|align=none|cols=3
|1869|6254
|1880|7403
|1890|7743
|1900|8127
|1910|8189
|1921|8240
|1930|8041
|1950|7438
|1961|8489
|1970|9019
|1980|10123
|1991|10184
|2001|10030
|2011|9719
|2021|9459
|2025|9510
|source=Censuses<ref>{{cite web |title=Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011|url=https://csu.gov.cz/produkty/historicky-lexikon-obci-1869-az-2015|publisher=[Czech Statistical Office](/source/Czech_Statistical_Office)|language=cs|date=2015-12-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Population Census 2021: Population by sex|url=https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4429&katalog=33515&pvo=SLD21001-OB-OK|work=Public Database|publisher=[Czech Statistical Office](/source/Czech_Statistical_Office)|date=2021-03-27}}</ref>}}

==Economy==
thumb|A park with remnants of the town walls
Litovel is known especially for the food industry. In the village of Tři Dvory is located a factory of Adriana, a manufacturer of pasta, and Brazzale, a cheese-producing company which has here one of the largest hard-cheese producing factories in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Places to visit|url=https://www.litovel.eu/en/english/welcome-to-our-town/places-to-visit.html|publisher=Město Litovel|access-date=2022-01-14}}</ref>

Litovel is also known for its [brewery](/source/brewery). The tradition of brewing beer here began in 1297.<ref>{{cite web |title=The beer tradition in Litovel|url=https://www.litovel.cz/en/litovel-brewery|publisher=Pivovar Litovel a.s.|access-date=2022-01-14}}</ref>

[Pro-Ject](/source/Pro-Ject) brand turntables and audio equipment are manufactured in Litovel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gramofony Pro-Ject|url=https://www.sev-litovel.cz/gramofony-pro-ject.html|publisher=SEV Litovel s.r.o.|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-14}}</ref>

==Transport==
The [D35 motorway](/source/D35_motorway_(Czech_Republic)) (part of the [European route E442](/source/European_route_E442)) from Olomouc to the [Hradec Králové Region](/source/Hradec_Kr%C3%A1lov%C3%A9_Region) runs through the town.

Litovel is located on the railway line [Prostějov](/source/Prost%C4%9Bjov)–[Červenka](/source/%C4%8Cervenka_(Olomouc_District)). The town is served by three train stations: ''Litovel'', ''Litovel město'' and ''Litovel předměstí''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Detail stanice Litovel|url=https://www.cd.cz/stanice/litovel/5434082|publisher=[České dráhy](/source/%C4%8Cesk%C3%A9_dr%C3%A1hy)|language=cs|access-date=2024-05-21}}</ref>

==Sights==
thumb|Bridge of Saint John
thumb|Gymnasium of Jan Opletal
The historic town centre is formed by the Přemysla Otakara II. Square and its surroundings. It was delimited by the Morava and its branches, and by town walls, which remnants are preserved. The landmark of the town square is the town hall. It was originally a manor house which was sold to the town in 1557. It was reconstructed in 1572 and baroque modified in 1724. The town hall tower, {{convert|65|m|ft}} tall, was built right over the Nečíz, one of many branches of the Morava that runs underneath the square.<ref name=sights>{{cite web |title=The Royal Town of Litovel|url=https://www.litovel.eu/en/english/welcome-to-our-town/the-royal-town-of-litovel.html|publisher=Město Litovel|access-date=2022-01-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Radnice|url=https://pamatkovykatalog.cz/radnice-539878|publisher=National Heritage Institute|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-14}}</ref>

The town square is lines by preserved burger houses. A [plague column](/source/Marian_and_Holy_Trinity_columns) stands in the middle of the square. It was created in 1724. The pillar is decorated with seven statues of plaque patrons and The Holy Virgin on the top.<ref name=sights/><ref>{{cite web |title=Morový sloup|url=https://pamatkovykatalog.cz/morovy-sloup-534290|publisher=National Heritage Institute|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-14}}</ref>

The Bridge of Saint John ({{langx|cs|Svatojánský most}}) is a stone [bridge](/source/bridge) over the Morava River. It was constructed in 1592, and it is the third oldest bridge in the country (and the oldest stone bridge in [Moravia](/source/Moravia)).<ref name=sights/><ref>{{cite web |title=Svatojánský most v Litovli|url=https://www.kudyznudy.cz/aktivity/svatojansky-most-nejstarsi-kamenny-most-na-morav|publisher=CzechTourism|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-14}}</ref>

A notable building is the Gymnasium of Jan Opletal. The Neorenaissance school building, named after [Jan Opletal](/source/Jan_Opletal), comes from 1901 and is decorated with four ceramic mosaics designed by [Jano Köhler](/source/Jano_K%C3%B6hler), which depict scenes from the history of the town.<ref name=sights/><ref>{{cite web |title=Školství po r. 1900 – Z kroniky města Litovel|url=https://www.litovel.eu/cs/urad/uredni-deska/aktualni-informace/skolstvi-po-r-1900-z-kroniky-mesta-litovel.html|publisher=Město Litovel|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-15}}</ref>

The Church of Saints Philip and James is the probably the oldest church in Litovel. Its existence was first mentioned in 1342. It was completely rebuilt after in the early Baroque style in 1692–1694.<ref name=sights/><ref>{{cite web |title=Kostel sv. Jakuba a Filipa a boží muka|url=https://www.pamatkovykatalog.cz/kostel-sv-jakuba-a-filipa-a-bozi-muka-537670|publisher=National Heritage Institute|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-15}}</ref>

The Church of Saint Mark was originally a Gothic church, also first recorded in 1342. The extensive renaissance reconstruction took place in 1529–1532, after the Thirty Year's War it was baroque modified.<ref name=sights/><ref>{{cite web |title=Kostel sv. Marka|url=https://www.litovel.eu/cs/turistika/prochazka-historickou-litovli/kostel-sv-marka.html|publisher=Město Litovel|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-15}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[Gustav Tschermak von Seysenegg](/source/Gustav_Tschermak_von_Seysenegg) (1836–1927), Austrian mineralogist
*[Karl Kostersitz von Marenhorst](/source/Karl_Kostersitz_von_Marenhorst) (1839–1897), Austro-Hungarian general
*[Marija Ružička Strozzi](/source/Marija_Ru%C5%BEi%C4%8Dka_Strozzi) (1850–1937), Croatian actress
*[Hans Temple](/source/Hans_Temple) (1857–1931), Czech-Austrian painter
*[Gustav Frištenský](/source/Gustav_Fri%C5%A1tensk%C3%BD) (1879–1957), strongman and wrestler; lived and died here
*[Henry Kulka](/source/Henry_Kulka) (1900–1971), Czech-New Zealander architect
*[Jan Čep](/source/Jan_%C4%8Cep) (1902–1974), Czech writer and translator
*[Lubomír Šik](/source/Lubom%C3%ADr_%C5%A0ik) (1928–2026), historian
*[Přemysl Krbec](/source/P%C5%99emysl_Krbec) (1940–2021), gymnast

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic}}
Litovel is [twinned](/source/Sister_city) with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Partnerská města|url=https://www.litovel.eu/cs/mesto/partnerska-mesta.html|publisher=Město Litovel|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-14}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|SUI}} [Littau (Lucerne)](/source/Littau), Switzerland
*{{flagicon|SVK}} [Revúca](/source/Rev%C3%BAca), Slovakia
*{{flagicon|POL}} [Wieliczka](/source/Gmina_Wieliczka), Poland

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Litovel}}
*{{official|https://www.litovel.eu/en/english/welcome-to-our-town/}}

{{Olomouc District}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Populated places in Olomouc District
Category:Cities and towns in the Olomouc Region

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Litovel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litovel) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litovel?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.