The villages and hamlets of Bílý Potok, Mnichov, Vidly and Železná are administrative parts of Vrbno pod Pradědem.
Geography
Vrbno pod Pradědem is located about 15 kilometres (9 mi) northwest of Bruntál and 58 km (36 mi) north of Olomouc. It lies mostly in the Hrubý Jeseník mountain range. The slopes of Praděd, which is the highest mountain of the mountain range and is contained in the name of the town, are situated in the southwestern tip of the municipal territory. The highest point of Vrbno pod Pradědem is at 1,478 m (4,849 ft) above sea level. The Opava River and its tributary Střední Opava flow through the territory.
History
The first settlement, which later became Vrbno pod Pradědem, was probably founded in the 13th century. The settlement grew thanks to gold and metal mining. It was part of the Bruntál estate. From 1473 or 1474, the estate was owned by the lords of Vrbno (today Wierzbna), after whom the settlement was named. In 1611, the settlement was promoted to a free mining town for its important location. Hynek of Vrbno had built the town square and houses for miners.[2]
According to the census of 1910 the town had 3,614 inhabitants, all of them were German-speaking. Most populous religious groups were Roman Catholics with 3,293 (91.1%), followed by Protestants with 307 (8.5%).[4] Following World War I, since 1918, it was part of newly independent Czechoslovakia.
Vrbno pod Pradědem is the terminus of a railway line from Milotice nad Opavou.
Sights
The main landmark of the town square and the whole town is the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel. The first stone church was built here in 1635–1637, and after its capacity ceased to be sufficient, the current Empire style structure was built in 1840–1843. In front of the church is a marble cross dating from 1825.[2][9]
Grohmann Chateau is a former aristocratic residence in the Baroque and Empire styles with a core from the 17th century, gradually expanded in 18th and 19th centuries. The chateau is located in a landscape park surrounded by a wall from the 19th century. Today it is privately owned.[2]