Želiv (German: Seelau) is a municipality and village in Pelhřimov District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,200 inhabitants. It is known for a Premonstratensian monastery.

Želiv
Želiv Monastery
Želiv Monastery
Flag of Želiv
Coat of arms of Želiv
Želiv is located in Czech Republic
Želiv
Želiv
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°31′48″N 15°13′19″E / 49.53000°N 15.22194°E / 49.53000; 15.22194
Country Czech Republic
RegionVysočina
DistrictPelhřimov
First mentioned1144
Area
 • Total
26.05 km2 (10.06 sq mi)
Elevation
406 m (1,332 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total
1,160
 • Density45/km2 (120/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
394 44
Websitewww.obeczeliv.cz

Administrative parts

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The villages of Bolechov, Brtná, Lhotice, Lískovice, Miletín, Vitice and Vřesník are administrative parts of Želiv.

Etymology

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The name is derived from the personal name Žel (shortened variant of the name Želibor or Želislav), meaning "Žel's".[2]

Geography

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Želiv is located about 11 kilometres (7 mi) north of Pelhřimov and 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Jihlava. It lies in the Křemešník Highlands. The highest point is at 540 m (1,770 ft) above sea level. The municipality is situated at the confluence of the Želivka and Trnava rivers. The Trnávka Reservoir is situated on the Trnava in the southwestern part of the municipality. The small reservoir of Vřesník is built on the Želivka River.

History

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The first written mention of Želiv is from 1144.[3]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
18691,916—    
18801,838−4.1%
18901,850+0.7%
19001,855+0.3%
19101,860+0.3%
YearPop.±%
19211,926+3.5%
19301,748−9.2%
19501,418−18.9%
19611,437+1.3%
19701,349−6.1%
YearPop.±%
19801,297−3.9%
19911,211−6.6%
20011,165−3.8%
20111,057−9.3%
20211,125+6.4%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport

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There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipality.

Sights

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Monastery garden and Trčka's Castle

Želiv is known for architecturally valuable Premonstratensian monastery with the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The monastery was founded in 1139 and renewed in 1712 according to design by Jan Santini Aichel.[6]

Trčka's Castle is a late Gothic castle from the second half of the 15th century, located in the monastery complex. Its current appearance is a result of a Renaissance reconstruction. Today it is owned by the monastery.[7]

Twin towns – sister cities

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Želiv is twinned with:[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ Profous, Antonín (1957). Místní jména v Čechách IV: S–Ž (in Czech). pp. 829–830.
  3. ^ "Ohlédnutí do minulosti". Želivské ozvěny (in Czech). Obec Želiv. 2019. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  4. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  5. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  6. ^ "Okolí obce" (in Czech). Obec Želiv. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  7. ^ "Bývalý Trčkův hrad" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  8. ^ "Partnerská obec Kiesen" (in Czech). Obec Želiv. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
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