Bezděz (German: Schloßbösig) is a municipality and village in Česká Lípa District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 300 inhabitants. It is known for the Bezděz Castle.

Bezděz
Bezděz seen from Bezděz hill
Bezděz seen from Bezděz hill
Flag of Bezděz
Coat of arms of Bezděz
Bezděz is located in Czech Republic
Bezděz
Bezděz
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°32′1″N 14°43′19″E / 50.53361°N 14.72194°E / 50.53361; 14.72194
Country Czech Republic
RegionLiberec
DistrictČeská Lípa
First mentioned1264
Area
 • Total
23.83 km2 (9.20 sq mi)
Elevation
362 m (1,188 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total
346
 • Density15/km2 (38/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
472 01
Websitebezdez.cz

Etymology

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The name Bezděz is derived from the personal name Bezděd (Besdeth), meaning "Bezděd's (property)".[2]

Geography

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Bezděz is located about 21 kilometres (13 mi) southeast of Česká Lípa and 33 km (21 mi) southwest of Liberec. It lies mostly in the Ralsko Uplands, only the southeastern part of the municipal territory extends into the Jizera Table. The highest point is the hill Bezděz at 606 m (1,988 ft) above sea level. Most of the territory lies within the Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj Protected Landscape Area.

History

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The first written mention of Bezděz is from 1264. In 1291 or 1293, the village was promoted to a town, but it lost its town privileges after Bělá pod Bezdězem was founded in 1304. In 1898, the village was severely damaged by fire.[2]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
1869680—    
1880638−6.2%
1890588−7.8%
1900499−15.1%
1910499+0.0%
YearPop.±%
1921539+8.0%
1930547+1.5%
1950339−38.0%
1961327−3.5%
1970349+6.7%
YearPop.±%
1980295−15.5%
1991279−5.4%
2001268−3.9%
2011299+11.6%
2021358+19.7%
Source: Censuses[3][4]

Economy

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Bezděz Castle on Bezděz hill

There are almost no job opportunities in the municipality, most residents commute to work in nearby towns.[2]

Transport

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The I/38 road (the section which connects Mladá Boleslav with Česká Lípa) passes through the municipality.

The railway line KolínRumburk briefly crosses the municipal territory. The train station Bezděz is located just outside the municipality.

Sights

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Church of Saint Giles

Bezděz is known for the Bezděz Castle. The well-preserved ruin of the Gothic castle is one of the most important monuments of the whole region, protected as a national cultural monument.[5]

The Church of Saint Giles dates from the end of the 13th century at the latest and has a Romanesque core. It was baroque rebuilt in 1764–1769, when the tower was added. The interior is equipped with valuable late Baroque and Rococo furniture.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ a b c "Obec" (in Czech). Obec Bezděz. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  3. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  4. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  5. ^ "Hrad Bezděz" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  6. ^ "Kostel sv. Jiljí" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
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