Břasy

Břasy
Village
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Plzeň
District	Rokycany
Commune	Rokycany
Municipality	Radnice
Elevation	458 m (1,503 ft)
Coordinates	49°50′10″N 13°35′5″E / 49.83611°N 13.58472°E / 49.83611; 13.58472Coordinates: 49°50′10″N 13°35′5″E / 49.83611°N 13.58472°E / 49.83611; 13.58472
Area	21.5 km2 (8.30 sq mi)
Population	2,203 (2010)
Density	102/km2 (264/sq mi)
Timezone	CET (UTC+1)
- summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	338 24
Location in the Czech Republic
Website: www.obecbrasy.cz

Břasy (German "Bschas") is a village in western Bohemia, Rokycany District, Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It is located 10 km north of Rokycany and 3 km southwest of Radnice, 458 m. above sea-level. Břasy lies at largely deforested plateau, which falls sharply towards the valley of Berounka River in the west. Korečný potok Stream passes along the southern border of Břasy and Dírecký potok Stream along the northern periphery, both being only minor brooks that drain into Berounka River after several kilometers. The slopes along Berounka and both above-mentioned brooks are largely covered with forest, while central part of Břasy cadastre is largely forestless, except for scattered woods between the Břasy proper, Vranovice, Kříše and Stupno which replaced the abandoned coal mines and other industrial facilities. The II/232 from Rokycany passes through Břasy continuing to the north towards Liblín. The road II/233 that traverses the village connects Břasy with Chrást (Plzeň-město District) and Plzeň in the southwest and with Radnice to the northeast. There are also several minor roads connecting original villages within the community of Břasy.

Břasy in its present shape is a result of massive industrial development of the region in the 2nd half of the 19th century and the 20th century. In the territory of what is today Břasy, several distinct villages were located until the 19th century, most of them decisively rural. These original components that predated modern time Břasy were Stupno, Kříše, Vranovice, Vranov and Darová.

Stupno (German: "Stupno") was mentioned for the first time in 1146. The village's name evolved from Stúpa, to Stupná and finally to Stupno. Stupno grew into major village and served as a population center of the agglomeration for most of the 19th century. At the turn of the 20th century Stupno had population of 1,272.

Vranov (German: "Wranow") was mentioned for the first time in 1379. The village located 1 km northeast of Stupno rapidly grew in the 19th century thanks to influx of workers into the coal mines. Worker's colony of Břasy arose here in the 19th century and Vranov was later renamed Břasy giving name to the unified community that stretches across the whole agglomeration. At the turn of the 20th century Vranov had population of 1,200.