Stříbrná Skalice

Stříbrná Skalice
Silberskalitz
Village
Old town hall.

Flag
Seal

Location of the town.
Stříbrná Skalice
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°53′47.42″N 14°50′51.35″E / 49.8965056°N 14.8475972°E / 49.8965056; 14.8475972Coordinates: 49°53′47.42″N 14°50′51.35″E / 49.8965056°N 14.8475972°E / 49.8965056; 14.8475972
Country  Czech Republic
Region Central Bohemian Region
District Prague-East District
First mentioned 1361
Area
 • Total 9.43 sq mi (24.43 km2)
Elevation 1,106 ft (337 m)
Population (2017)
 • Total 1,354
 • Density 140/sq mi (55/km2)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 281 63
Website www.stribrnaskalice.cz

Stříbrná Skalice (German: Silberskalitz) is a village in Prague-East District, Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic. It has approximately 1400 inhabitants[1] and lies near the Sázava River, 19 kilometres (12 mi) south-east from town Říčany. The highest point of the village is a peak Skalka at an elevation of 516 metres (1,693 ft). The exact date the Silver Skalice Village was founded remains unknown although the first recorded owners of this rural community according to a published online document were “Ctibor of Skalice (1360-62), followed by Střížek of Skalice (1376), Kuneš of Skalice (1377), Jesek of Skalice (1384-92), Jan of Střímelice (1393) and Bohdal of Drahenic and Skalice (1402-03). In 1403, Skalice passed over to King Wenceslas IV whose bourgeoisie was on the rocky castle of Racek Kobyla.”[2]

History

The first written remark of the village dates back to 1361. The attribute of the name Silver originates in 16th century and marks the silver mining, that took place in surrounding areas (the original name of the village is the "Rock of the Silver Mountain". Date of the founding of the village is unknown, but according to the oldest chronicles local castle has been already built in 8th century in the times of Přemysl the Ploughman. From the end of 12th century, there is a Romanian church dedicated to the patron of miners st. Jacob. It is located in the area Rovna. The old name "Rock of the Silver Mountains" shows that silver has been mined in these places since ancient times. The Skalice mines were closest to Prague and gave impulse to the construction of a Prague mint during the reign of Ferdinand I (1526-1564). This event has become an important moment in the history of Skalice as a mining town. Right in the Skalice there are still preserved the old mining shafts. The oldest silver sealer from 1610 is stored in the Kolín State Archive in a silver case. Stříbrná Skalice today includes parts of Kostelní Střimelice, Hradová Střimelice and Hradec. There are several ponds, the most famous of which are Hruskov and the Propast. Landscape with beautiful and pure nature is a renowned and sought recreational area.

The village plays a prevalent role in the plot of the video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance developed by the Czech computer games studio Warhorse Studios: After the death of the renowned Bohemian King and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, challenging times for the Kingdom of Bohemia begin. Charles's son and heir Wenceslaus IV did not inherit his father's skill for ruling and rather devoted his time to hunting and court pleasures. His lack of interest in ruling led to the worsening of the situation in the kingdom. Wenceslaus' brother Sigismund, king of Hungary at the time, took advantage of the situation, gained trust of the discontent Bohemian nobility and raised arms against his brother with aim to seize the Bohemian crown.

In 1403, when Racek Kobyla lived and ruled, a huge army of Cumans (a tribe related to the Tatar tribe) appeared in front of the village. They had come from Hungary and were paid for by the stolen silver that Sigismund took in Kutná Hora. The attack was merciless, and the Tatars murdered all those who didn't flee or hide inside in the keep held by Racek Kobyla. Cumans besieged the castle, but a thunderstorm started at night, and Racek Kobyla and his companions secretly fled to the Rataje castle.

References

  1. ↑ Český statistický úřad. "Počet obyvatel v obcích k 1.1.2017".
  2. ↑ "Stříbrná Skalice – Kolínsko – Cesty a památky". Retrieved 2018-05-11.



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