Rokycany

Rokycany
Town
Town Hall
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Plzeň
District	Rokycany
Commune	Rokycany
River	Klabava
Center	Masarykovo náměstí
- elevation	362 m (1,188 ft)
- coordinates	49°44′33″N 13°35′44″E / 49.74250°N 13.59556°E / 49.74250; 13.59556Coordinates: 49°44′33″N 13°35′44″E / 49.74250°N 13.59556°E / 49.74250; 13.59556
Area	30.98 km2 (11.96 sq mi)
Population	14,031 (2015)
Density	453/km2 (1,173/sq mi)
First mentioned	1110
Mayor	Václav Kočí
Timezone	CET (UTC+1)
- summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	337 01
Location in the Czech Republic
Location in Rokycany District
Website: www.rokycany.cz

Rokycany (Czech pronunciation: [ˈrokɪtsanɪ]; German: Rokitzan) is a town in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It is 17 km (11 mi) east of the region capital Pilsen on the confluence of the River Klabava and the Holoubkov Brook (Czech: Holoubkovský potok). Alternatively, the Holoubkovský potok is referred to as the Borecký potok and the section of the Klabava River down to the confluence as the Padrťský potok. There is another smaller brook (Rakovský potok or Rakováček) in the western part of the town.

The town is in the lowland, 362 metres (1,188 ft) above sea level, bordered by hilly woodlands, especially the Brdy mountains to the east and the Radeč massif.

Rokycany is also the seat of the Municipality with Extended Competence and Municipality with Commissioned Local Authority.

The place was inhabited since the Stone Age. Celtic and early Slavic settlements were discovered. Rokycany was first mentioned in 1110. At that time the village owned by the Bishop of Prague, and major Bohemian and German noblemen met here for diplomatic talks with Emperor Henry V. In 1295 a stockade fortifications in Rokycany are mentioned (probably defending the district around the main church). Major changes occurred in the 14th century when the village grew into a town, and a new western part of the settlement with rectangular grid was added. In the 14th century, the main church rebuilt in Gothic style and by 1399 system of town fortification is mentioned. Rokycany took an active role in Hussite movement. Master John of Rokycan (1397—1471), Archbishop of Prague, active during Hussite Wars was born here. In 1406 Rokycany obtained city rights. In the 16th century Rokycany was given rights as free King's city in 1584 making it self-administered entity. The prosperity came to an abrupt end with the Thirty Years' War. Rokycany was repeatedly afflicted by various armies, most notably by the Swedish army led by Banner who completely burned the town. By the end of the war Rokycany's population decreased to 774. Another period of prosperity started in the 18th century. Town was partially destroyed by fire in 1757 (52 houses damaged) and completely destroyed by another fire in 1784 (260 houses damaged). After the fire, the townhall and main church had to be rebuilt, as well as most of the private houses. Thanks to favorable economic conditions of the residents the post-1784 renewal proceeded rather quickly. In the 19th century craft and industry became main source of Rokycany's economy. The traditional iron-ore mining and processing industry was strengthened and linked with coal mining industry in nearby Mirošov (Rokycany District) basin. In 1862 Rokycany was connected via railway with Prague and Plzeň. Industrial development continued for most of the 20th century. Population grew (from 4,187 in 1869 to more than 16,000 in the late 1980s) and the town expanded with new neighborhoods, some of them inspired by concepts of Garden city movement (Rašínov neighborhood in the southern outskirts). On May 7, 1945 Rokycany was liberated by the American army which halted its eastward advance here, meeting with the allied Soviet troops in the eastern part of the town (creating so-called Demarcation line). In the post-World War II era, the development of the town was carried out in line with the ruling communist regime. The new massive construction activity focused on uniform tenement houses, from 1960s built with concrete panels (so-called "panelák"). The local industry was further expanded and the life of the town was strongly influenced by strong army garrison (located in two barracks built in 1899 and 1933 respectively). In 1960 neighboring village Borek was merged with Rokycany, in 1980 another three rural communities (Kamenný Újezd (Rokycany District), Litohlavy, Svojkovice (Rokycany District)) joined Rokycany (however all 3 have separated in the 1990s)[1]