Roudnice nad Labem
| Roudnice nad Labem | |||
| Town | |||
 Church of the Nativity of Virgin Mary
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| Country | Czech Republic | ||
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| Region | Ústí nad Labem | ||
| District | Litoměřice | ||
| Commune | Roudnice nad Labem | ||
| River | Elbe | ||
| Elevation | 195 m (640 ft) | ||
| Coordinates | 50°25′25″N 14°15′14″E / 50.42361°N 14.25389°ECoordinates: 50°25′25″N 14°15′14″E / 50.42361°N 14.25389°E | ||
| Area | 16.67 km2 (6.44 sq mi) | ||
| Population | 13,263 (2006-07-03) | ||
| Density | 796/km2 (2,062/sq mi) | ||
| First mentioned | 1167 | ||
| Mayor | Vladimír Urban | ||
| Timezone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 413 01 | ||
   Location in the Czech Republic
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 Location in Litoměřice District
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| Statistics: statnisprava.cz | |||
| Website: www.roudnicenl.cz | |||
Roudnice nad Labem (Czech pronunciation: [ˈrou̯dɲɪtsɛ ˈnad labɛm]; German: Raudnitz an der Elbe) is a town on the left bank of the Elbe River (Czech: Labe). It has a population of approximately 13 500 and covers an area of 16,67 km². The town is situated near the site of Říp, notable for its connection with the legend of Praotec Čech.
A steel road bridge dating from the early 20th century spans the Elbe in Roudnice nad Labem. Its medieval predecessor was the third oldest stone bridge in Bohemia (after Prague and Písek) and the first bridge to connect both banks of the river. Roudnice nad Labem features a castle of late Romanesque origin, now reconstructed in Baroque architectural style.
Civic amenities include a post office, hospital, several shopping centres, schools, pharmacies, public and municipal libraries, cinema, swimming pool, ice hockey arena, football stadium and athletic stadium. The Roudnice airport is located near the southwestern edge of the city and hosts the Memorial Air Show every other year.
Roudnice nad Labem has a very long and rich history. It is one of the oldest Czech towns; the original name Rúdnik / Rúdnica comes from the red-colored water of a nearby spring. The first appearances of the city in written records are dated to 1167 and 1176, but the first signs of settlement are from the prehistoric ages.
Roudnice nad Labem received a statute as a city near the end of the 12th century. In the same period a Romanesque castle was built, becoming the second private building made of stone in Bohemia. In 1333, bishop Jan IV ordered that a bridge be built over the Elbe. It was the first stone bridge over the Elbe and the third stone bridge in Bohemia. At the end of the 14th century, the New City of Roudnice nad Labem (today Jan of Dražice Square and Husovo Square) was built and, along with the Old City of Roudnice nad Labem, surrounded by walls. In the 15th century, during the Hussite wars, the city was the target of several Hussite raids. The city was conquered by Jan Žižka in 1421, by Jan Roháč of Dubá in 1425, and by Václav Carda of Petrovice in 1428. After the Hussite wars, the city was sold several times; finally becoming the property of Zdeněk Václav Popel of Lobkowicz in 1603. During his rule, the city was rebuilt and expanded. During the Thirty Years' War, the city of Roudnice nad Labem was burned down and demolished by the Swedish army in 1634 and 1639
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