Úštěk

50°35′36″N 14°20′55″E / 50.59333°N 14.34861°E / 50.59333; 14.34861Country Czech RepublicRegionÚstí nad LabemDistrictLitoměřiceFirst mentioned1218Government • MayorOndřej ElísekArea • Total74.94 km² (28.93 sq mi)Elevation242 m (794 ft)Population • Total2,883 • Density38/km² (100/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postal codesWebsitewww.mesto-ustek.cz

Úštěk (Czech pronunciation: [ˈuːʃcɛk]; German: Auscha) is a town in Litoměřice District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,900 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument reservation.

Administrative parts

Úštek is made up of 3 town parts and 21 villages:

Geography

Úštěk is located about 15 kilometres (9 mi) northeast of Litoměřice and 22 km (14 mi) southeast of Ústí nad Labem. It lies mostly in the Ralsko Uplands, but the municipal territory also extends to the Central Bohemian Uplands on the north, where is located the highest point of Úštěk, the hill Pohorský vrch at 601 metres (1,972 ft). The town is situated on the Úštěcký Stream and on the shore of the Chmelař Pond.

History

According to archaeological excavations, the area of Úštěk was inhabited from the 10th century. The importance of Úštěk has increased in the 14th century. Around 1361, the settlement was promoted to a town. In 1475, the town was acquired by marriage by the noble family of Sezima of Ústí. Under their rule, Úštěk prospered and grew rapidly, which lasted until the Battle of White Mountain in 1620. In 1622, the Úštěk property was confiscated and fell to Prague and Litoměřice Jesuits.^[2]

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 7,544 —     1880 7,777 +3.1% 1890 7,738 −0.5% 1900 7,595 −1.8% 1910 7,284 −4.1%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 6,882 −5.5% 1930 7,194 +4.5% 1950 3,817 −46.9% 1961 3,754 −1.7% 1970 3,187 −15.1%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 2,981 −6.5% 1991 2,703 −9.3% 2001 2,662 −1.5% 2011 2,688 +1.0% 2021 2,752 +2.4%
Source: Censuses[3][4]

Sights

The town is renowned for its medieval centre, formed by Mírové Square and its surroundings. On the square, houses with Gothic gables have been preserved. The Church of Saints Peter and Paul on the square was built in the late Baroque style in 1764–1772.^[5]

The historic centre is delimited by remains of town walls. The Pikart Tower is the largest and strongest tower of the town fortification. It is a sandstone tower built in 1428.^[5]

The restored Úštěk Synagogue also is a significant monument.^[5]

Gallery

• 
  Mírové Square, western part with old houses
• 
  Town fortifications with the Pikart Tower
• 
  Western gate
• 
  Church of Saints Peter and Paul
• 
  Parsonage on Mírové Square
• 
  Synagogue and Rabbi's house

References

External links