The town is made up of the town parts of Chlumec nad Cidlinou I–IV and the villages of Kladruby, Lučice and Pamětník.
Etymology
The town's name Chlumec is derived from the old Czech word chlum, which meant a hill covered with forest.[2]
Geography
Cidlina in Chlumec nad Cidlinou
Chlumec nad Cidlinou is located about 26 kilometres (16 mi) west of Hradec Králové. It lies in a flat landscape of the East Elbe Table. The highest point is at 254 m (833 ft) above sea level. The town is situated at the confluence of the Cidlina and Bystřice rivers. There are several fishponds in the municipal territory, especially north of the town. The largest of them is Chlumecký.
The nearest neighbourhood is surrounded by gardens and after it the town is sometimes nicknamed Town in gardens.[3]
History
The first written mention of Chlumec is from 1235 in a deed of King Wenceslaus I. It was located on a trade route from Prague to Kłodzko Land.[4] The village of Lučice, part of Chlumec nad Cidlinou, was first mentioned in 1110.[5]
The Sternberg family owned Chlumec until 1393. During the first half of the 15th century, it belonged to the lords of Bergov, who had built a water castle here. After it belonged to the various nobles and changed owners several times, it was acquired by the Pernštejn family in 1521. During their rule, the estate grew significantly and prospered. The castle was fortified and new Church of Saint Ursula was built. In these times Chlumec was promoted to a town. In 1547, the Chlumec estate was bought by the royal chamber.[3][5]
From 1611, Chlumec belonged to the Kinsky family. During the Thirty Years' War, the town was conquered and looted repeatedly. It was badly damaged and the castle was destroyed. After several fires, the castle was not renewed and new aristocratic residence was built – the Karlova Koruna Chateau. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the town recovered and crafts flourished.[3]
The town developed rapidly before World War I. Several public buildings were built, including the impressive Neo-Renaissance school.[3]
Chlumec nad Cidlinou is located on the interregional railway line Prague–Trutnov. It is also the starting point of the lines to Hradec Králové and to Městec Králové.[8]
Sights
Karlova Koruna ChateauChurch of the Holy Trinity
The Karlova Koruna Chateau is the most notable landmark of the town. It was built for František Ferdinand Kinsky between 1721 and 1723 with the basic architectural design drafted by Jan Santini Aichel and with the participation in the building process of František Maxmilián Kaňka.[9] The chateau is surrounded by a castle park. The castle chapel in the park is Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary which was built in 1741–1745.[10]
The Church of the Holy Trinity is the oldest monument in the town. According to the foundation stone, it was built in 1134. The first written mention is from 1358. Until the early 20th century, it was a cemetery church. The building has a flat ceiling with a triangular presbytery and a wooden prismatic tower. An interior figuration came from the 17th century. Around outer presbytery walls there are placed Empire styled tombs from around 1800. The church was rebuilt many times and today it is considered a styleless construction.[11] The Zubatovská Chapel is a Neoclassical chapel from 1836–1842 is located in the former cemetery, which is today a municipal park.
Church of Saint Ursula was built in 1536–1543. It mixes late Gothic and Renaissance styles. Today's appearance is the result of repairs after three fires in the 17th century. The interior is in the Rococo style after the fire in 1774.[12]
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