Přerov

Přerov (Czech pronunciation: [ˈpr̝̊ɛrof]; German: Prerau) is a city on the Bečva River in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has a population of approximately 43,000 people. Přerov is about 22 kilometres (14 miles) south east of Olomouc. In the past it was a major crossroad in the heart of Moravia in the Czech Republic.

For Prerow, Germany, see Prerow.
Přerov
Statutory city
Upper Square in Přerov
Flag
Coat of arms
Přerov
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°27′20″N 17°27′4″E
Country Czech Republic
RegionOlomouc
DistrictPřerov
First mentioned1141
Government
 • MayorPetr Měřínský (ANO)
Area
 • Total58.50 km2 (22.59 sq mi)
Elevation
210 m (690 ft)
Population
 (2020-01-01[1])
 • Total42,871
 • Density730/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
750 02
Websitewww.prerov.eu

Administrative parts

Villages Předmostí, Lověšice, Kozlovice, Dluhonice, Újezdec, Čekyně, Henčlov, Lýsky, Popovice, Vinary, Žeravice and Penčice are administrative parts of Přerov.

History

Settlement in the locality dates back to prehistoric times. There is a world—renowned prehistoric site from the stone age on the mound called Hradisko in Přerov Předmostí. The oldest written reference to Přerov dates to 1141 when bishop Jindřich Zdík mentioned Přerov's church of St. George as one of the most important ones in Moravia. King Ottokar II of Bohemia gave Přerov the privilege of being a royal town in 1256. The mansion of Přerov, built in place of the former castle, was a residence of an influential house, the house of Pernštejn and Žerotín, from which Charles the Elder of Žerotín significantly influenced the town. Přerov also plays an important role in history of the Czech protestant church known as Unity of the Brethren.

The town grew the most in 19th century after a railway line was built through it first from Vienna to Olomouc, later extended to Prague.

In June 1945, during the expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia, 71 men, 120 women and 74 children were killed in an illegal massacre of the German population.[2]

German terror in Bohemia and Moravia peaked in Spring 1945 sparking a Czech uprising, which started in Přerov on May 1 and then spread throughout the whole country after the murder of 78,154 Czech Jews and 340,000 Czech citizens during the German occupation.[3]

Present

Today the main commercial heart of the city lies around the T.G. Masaryk Square, which is of limited architectural interest. Of greater interest is the cobbled Upper Square enclosed by historic buildings, where the Comenius Museum can be found. Currently, Přerov is the social, administrative and cultural centre of the district with developing economics.

Transport

The city is a major railway junction with mainlines to Prague via Olomouc, Warsaw via Ostrava, and Vienna via Břeclav, and a regional line to Brno. The helicopter air force is based in Přerov.

Education

In Přerov there is a College of logistics, an affiliate of Tomas Bata University in Zlín.

Sport
  • HC Zubr Přerov – ice hockey club
  • Sokol HC Přerov – handball club
  • Zubr Cup – tennis tournament [4]
  • Autoklub Přerov – motor sports club [5]

Notable people

Twin towns – sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic

Přerov is twinned with:[6]

References
  1. "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2020". Czech Statistical Office. 2020-04-30.
  2. Prausser, Steffen; Rees, Arfon (December 2004). "The Expulsion of the 'German' Communities at the End of the Second World War, page 18" (PDF). Department of History and Civilization. European University Institute, Florence. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  3. Bažant, Jan; Bažantová, Nina; Starn, Frances (2010-12-13). The Czech Reader: History, Culture, Politics. Duke University Press. ISBN 0822347946.
  4. "Zubr Cup 2014 – Přerov" (in Czech). 21 June 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-11-09. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  5. (in Czech)
  6. "Partnerská města - město Přerov" (in Czech). Město Přerov. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
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