Opava | |||
Statutory city (Czech Republic) | |||
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Country | Czech Republic | ||
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Region | Moravian-Silesian | ||
District | Opava | ||
River | Opava | ||
Elevation | 257 m (843 ft) | ||
Coordinates | 49°56′N 17°54′E / 49.933°N 17.900°ECoordinates: 49°56′N 17°54′E / 49.933°N 17.900°E | ||
Area | 90.61 km2 (34.98 sq mi) | ||
Population | 57,772 (31.12.2014) | ||
Density | 638/km2 (1,652/sq mi) | ||
First mentioned | 1195 | ||
Mayor | Martin Víteček (ANO 2011) | ||
Postal code | 746 01 | ||
Website: www.opava-city.cz | |||
Opava (Czech pronunciation: [ˈopava]; Silesian: Uopawa, German: Troppau, Silesian German: Tropp, Polish: Opawa, Latin: Oppavia) is a city in the northern Czech Republic on the river Opava, located to the north-west of Ostrava. Opava is one of the historical centres of Silesia. It was a historical capital of Czech Silesia. Opava is now in the Moravian-Silesian Region and has a population of 57,843.
Opava is located on the Opava Hilly Land (Czech: Opavská pahorkatina; a part of the Silesian Lowlands) on the Opava River (left tributary of the Oder River) and Moravice River (right tributary of the Opava River).
Opava was first documented in 1195. First mention of Magdeburg city rights came from 1224. It was capital of the Silesian, Bohemian and finally Austrian Duchy of Opava.
In 1614 Karl I of Liechtenstein became Duke of Opava. After the majority of Silesia was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia during the War of the Austrian Succession after 1740, the remaining Silesian territory still under the control of the Habsburg Monarchy became known as Austrian Silesia, with its capital in Troppau (1742–1918). The Congress of Troppau took place there in the period 27 October- 17 December 1820.