CZ: Kadaň - A King's Town

This town with 18000 inhabitants is placed on an area of 65 square kilometres, at foot of Iron Ore Mountains and Doupov Hills, close to Nechranice Dam, where Ohře-river flows. At present, Kadaň is an important cultural and tourist centre of North-West Bohemia. In 1978, historical nucleus of this locality was declared as town´s preserved reservation.

History

Just since past times, Kadaň Valley became a place of many ethnical groups and cultures (Knowíz culture in Uhost area in 18-13th centuries B.C., Blans´ and Halstatt culture in Kadaň-Jezerka in 7th-6th centuries B.C.). Later culture was an important one as historical Celtics were their carriers. They brought it to our territory within 4th century B.C. Nevertheless, humanistic tradition dedicates Celts the foundation of two communities inside a locality of today´s Kadaň along Ohře-river. The names of villages were „Kad“ and „An“. The legends informs that the name of Kadaň would mean „Gleaming Fire“, because the communities in this area gave their signs by means of fire.

The colonization of the locality in the course of Middle Ages could be found, according to the information available, since end of 11th and the first half of 12th centuries. At that time period, just at the ford of Ohře-river, the town of Kadaň was established. Since 12th century, Johanits´ Order started to act there, and this community was in their possession soon. From impulse of King Wenceslas I. or Premysl Ottokar II, Kadaň was declared as King´s town, with King´s Castle and Franciscan Friars Order Monastery, including St. Michael Church.

Nevertheless, great swing of the town came in the second half of 14th century, during rule of Emperor Charles IV. At that time, the town got complete independent autonomy. Later, within Hussite wars, the town was seized by Hussite troops, followed by troops of the second Cross expedition. In the second half of 15th century (at that time, when Jan Hasistejnsky of Lobkowitz, was nominated as town´s district administrator officer), another Franciscan Monastery was founded there, and this man was buried there when he died.

When the flames of the Estates uprising started in 1618, nor Kadaň was saved from disasters of such type, as all churches in ownership of Roman-Catholic Church were plundered. After defeat of this revolt, violent re-catholization process followed, and, in the course of 30-years´ war, the town was pillaged again several times. At the end of 18th century, the Empress Mary Therese order to change Kadaň Castle into military barracks.

In the course of 19th century, the first waves of Enlightenment Age arrived there. Within 1803 -1823, the first grammar school was acted in former Minoriten Order Monastery. At that time, the town noted a swing of gloves factory, and even brown coal mines worked there. Later, in 1904, Kadaň finally received railway connection, when it was joined with so called Buštěhrad railway line (Prague-Chomutov-Cheb). Within pointing of complicated national question, Kadaň became a witness of Jewish synagogue destruction, and many local families were, during the 2nd World War, transferred into concentration camps. After a war, German inhabitants were forced to leave the town, and the Czechs substituted their places there.

After 1990, the historical town-nucleus was completely reconstructed. Inside Town Hall  building, the exhibition space Pod Věží was established, where regular exhibitions are taken place.

What you cannot miss, visiting Kadaň:

St. Cross Church

A Gothic church of 13th century was situated on place of today´s church. During 17th century, the building undergone reconstruction in Baroque style, under leadership of architects D. Rossi and D.Orsi. The works continued even in the middle of 18th century, according to projects of J. K. Kosh.

Monastery of Elizabeths´ Order and St. Elizabeth and Holy Family Churches

Within 1753-1755, the architect J. K. Kosh constructed, close to the monastery, one-navy church of  Baroque style including a tower, which could be proud on rich decorated interior, where do not miss the statues, works of K. Weitzmann, local native. The church serves for church purposes for the time being.

St. John Baptist Beheading Church

This church of the second half of 12th century is situated in Spital outskirts, the oldest Kadaň quarter. You can follow great cultural influence of near Franken-area, first of all, thanks to its unusual rectangular form of presbyterium. The Johanits´ Order established a hospital, close to the church. However, the church was, during Hussite war as well as 30-years´ war plundered and damaged so that it took rather long time period when all was reconstructed again. However, when this occasion arrived, in 1742, the church was damaged by great fire, followed by another one a couple of years later. So, since 1811, the church reconstruction was effected, which gave the construction its actual face. Nevertheless, within the second half of 20th century, the church fell to decay again. Finally, in 1991, the construction undergone consistent renovation. At present, it serves not only as a place for diving services but also as a concert hall.

Franciscan Friars´ Order Monastery

Its history starts since 1234, when the church was founded. However, at the end of 18th century, the monastery was closed, and St.Michael hall church of Gothic style (which formed its part from the very beginning), was demolished. Since 1803 till 1823, the monastery was used as Piarists´ Order College, with grammar school. Later, the building served for public purposes. Now, this former monastery is a seat of district  archives.

St. Anne Church

In the neighbourhood of Protestant cemetery, the Lutherans constructed (at the end of 16th century) this one-navy church, with barrel vaults. Later, in 1786, the church burnt out completely, and twenty years later, the divine services were there effected again. Anyway, since 1950, the church is in ownership of Orthodox church.

Mikulovice Gate 

It is the last preserved gate of internal belt of town´s fortification, coming of the second half of 14th century. It is also known as so called „Holy Gate“. On its outside frontal part, you can see channels for grates´sinking.

Holy Trinity Column 

This imposant Plague Column is placed on there-cornered socle. It was made within 1753-1755 as a work of K. Weitzmann. The column is decorated with statues, placed on volute consoles. This work is finished on top with Holy Trinity group of statues.

Hangman´s Small Street

This hangman´s street or wicket, was preserved till now, in its walls of Gothic style, including Gothic window holes. This street was declared as most narrow street of the Czech Republic. Its most nearest part is only 66 centimetres wide. Originally, this wicket was a part of the oldest fortification belt from middle of 14thn century, whereas its length makes 51 metres only.

Text: Maxim Kucer

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Wikipedia.org - Kolossos, Kolossos foto 2, Kolossos foto 3, Horst 74, Horst74 foto 2, Horst74 foto 3