Ostrov (Karlovy Vary District)

Ostrov, also known as Ostrov nad Ohří (Czech pronunciation: [ˈostrof]; German: Schlackenwerth), is a town in the Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic. It is located at a foothill of the Ore Mountains about 10 kilometres (6 miles) northeast of Karlovy Vary and has a population of around 17,000.

Ostrov

Ostrov nad Ohří
Schlackenwerth
Town
Old Town Square
Flag
Coat of arms
Ostrov
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°18′30″N 12°56′52″E
CountryCzech Republic
RegionKarlovy Vary
DistrictKarlovy Vary
First mentioned13th century
Government
 • MayorJan Bureš (ODS)
Area
 • Total50.42 km2 (19.47 sq mi)
Elevation
398 m (1,306 ft)
Population
 (2019-01-01)[1]
 • Total16,731
 • Density330/km2 (860/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
363 01
Websitewww.ostrov.cz

History

The origin of the settlement named Zlaukowerde (Slávek's Island) at the confluence of the Bystřice River and Jáchymov Creeks traces back to the beginning of the 13th century. The town charter for Ostrov was issued by Bohemian king John the Blind in 1331.

During World War II the castle served as a Nazi concentration camp. The population of Ostrov multiplied after World War II as people were moved to work in the uranium mines in nearby Jáchymov. The extensive housing blocks from the 1950s forming the new part of Ostrov are considered one of the best examples of socialist realism architecture in the Czech Republic. The town was known for production of Škoda trolleybuses for many decades, but this ended in 2004.

International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic

Twin towns — Sister cities

Ostrov is twinned with:

  • Ostrov Gallery
  • View of town from south

Notable people

Natives

Residents
  • Ivan Blecha (*1957, Prague), the head of the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Olmütz, attended the local high school
  • Bonifác Buzek (1788, Freiberg in Mähren (Czech: Příbor) – 1839, Brünn), priest, revivalists, philosopher and educator, taught at the local Gymnasium
  • Josef Loschmidt (1821, Putschirn (Czech: Počerny) – 1895),[2] physicist and chemist, attend 1833–37 the local school

References
  1. "Population of municipalities of the Czech republic". Czech Statistical Office. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  2. Loschmidt family
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