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Ždírec nad Doubravou - Basic english info edit delete

Czech Republic - Bohemian-Moravian Highlands - The upper reaches of the Doubrava River

Situation

Ždírec nad Doubravou is a town situated at the foot of Žďárské vrchy (Žďárske Highlands) and Železné hory (the Iron Mountains), on the Liběcká Path and at the historical crossroads of provincial roads at an altitude of 555 above the sea level. The town of Ždírec nad Doubravou also comprises the following local communities Nové Ransko, Horní Studenec, Nový Studenec, Údavy, Kohoutov, Benátky, and Stružinec. The population of Ždírec nad Doubravou amounts to 3,200.

Transportation

The town of Město Ždírec nad Doubravou lies on a heavily frequented intersection of roads I/34, I/37 and II/345. Railroad No. 238 from Havlíčkův Brod to Pardubice also runs through the town.

Nature

The rigged landscape abounding in natural and historical curiosities in the town's vicinity, along with the rough yet pure environment of this northwest part of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands offers ideal conditions for pleasant, active holidays and active leisure time.

Ždírec nad Doubravou is situated on the border of the Železné hory Nature Conservation Area and of the Žďárské vrchy Nature Conservation Area, in the territory known as the Bohemian-Moravian Frontier whose southern and northern slopes are protected by the Ranský Massif and by the Iron Mountains respectively.

Tourism

Several suggestions for an active leisure time and for hikes and bicycle trips:

The spring area of the Doubrava River can be found above the pond Doubravník in the Ranský Massif (7 km) and around Malé Dářko.
The canyon-like valley of the Doubravka River with numerous romantic secluded spots, steep slopes, caves and waterfalls in Bílek (5km).
The highest peak of the Iron Mountains is Vestec (668 a.s.l.) that offers you a view of all of the Chotěboř area (9km).
St. Wenceslas Church with a wooden, shingled belfry in Horní Studenec and a renaissance chateau in Nový Studenec (3km).
Vast forests reaching 15 km to the north and west from the town offer a large number of interesting tourist paths leading to ponds such as Januš and Hamerská Reservoir (with the oldest poured dike in Bohemia, Žák Hill (810 a.s.l.), as well as with the remainders of birch-for forest).
The true oasis of peace and quiet can be found around Zalíbené, Rychtářka and Kamenný Hill characterized with their mountain nature.
The forest territory of Ranský (formerly Panský) Babylon is the paradise of mushroom pickers. Picturesque quiet place of Babylon hide Borov Lakes, a system of flooded hollows that once used to be ore mines.
Water sport lovers can go to the Řeka pond (4 km) or to Velké Dářko that is further away (9 km).
Open air museum - Veselý Kopec and a Nativity Scene in Hlinsko (10 km).
The town is intersected by a 52 km-long bicycle trail No. 5127 from Radostín to Golčův Jeníkov that runs along the upper reaches of the Doubrava River. In Radostín, this trail runs into bicycle route No. 16 - Czech-Moravian path and along its course it meets other bicycle rotes of local importance.
All main tourist paths are well marked.
The pilgrim premises of Zelená hora (Green Mountain) near Žďár nad Sázavou has been included on the list of world cultural heritage UNESCO (22 km).
The Museum of Karel Havlíček Borovský in Havlíčkova Borová (12 km).

Industrial Zone

Ždírec nad Doubravou is also known for its industrial zone. Since the year 1997 twelve companies has built their premises offering jobs to hundreds of people. The companies specialize in wood processing, construction, food processing technologies, engineering, and plastic processing. This zone continues to grow and its capacity is available to other domestic and foreign investors. Ždírec nad Doubravou is the center of the wood processing industry in the Czech Republic.

Commerce, Services, and Health Care

Ždírec nad Doubravou offers its citizens as well as visitors good public utilities and the excellent accessibility of transportation services. The town has a network of shops, services, catering, and accommodation.

History

The first written mention of the town dates back to 1399. The first settlers came to this area on the boundary of Bohemia and Moravia as early as during the colonization era in order to maintain a trade path called Liběcká. The path provided a significant link between Bohemia and Moravia, Brno with Čáslav and Prague. However, no specific written reports have been preserved about this original settlement.

Until the end of WWII the town was regarded as a local community of marginal importance with about 800 inhabitants. Most people made their living by small agricultural activities and weaving. On May 9, 1945, the Soviet Red Army bombarded the town. Most houses in the town were either destroyed or badly damaged then. It was also due to this sad even that nearly 25% left the town immediately after the war was over.

However, the town witnessed immense developments after the end of WWII. In the year 1945 the town had 600 people, in the year 1965 this number increased to 1,450, and in the year 1990 to 2,989. In the year 1995, the town of Ždírec nad Doubravou received its coat of arms and flag from the hands of the House of MP's of Czech Parliament. In the year 2000, precisely on January 19, the Speaker of the House of MP's of Czech Parliament granted the community with the official title of town.

Coat of Arms and Flag

The coat of arms and flag of Ždírec nad Doubravou were conferred on the town by the decision of the Speaker of the House of MP's of Czech Parliament on January 19, 1995.

Coat of Arms

Heraldic description

Green shield with a black base from which a golden flam arises is divided with a silver, turned up fork cross.

Idea

Fork cross - significant crossroad
Black base - land burning and black coal production
Flame - fire

Flag

Heraldic description

Green flag with a white fork whose two arms leave the upper and lower end at the staff. The width of the fork arm is 1/5 of the width of the flag. A green staff insert between the fork arms reaches up to 1/3 of the flag length. The width to length ratio is 2:3.