Žinkovy (German: Schinkau, Zinkau) is a market town in Plzeň-South District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 900 inhabitants.

Žinkovy
Church of Saint Wenceslaus
Church of Saint Wenceslaus
Flag of Žinkovy
Coat of arms of Žinkovy
Žinkovy is located in Czech Republic
Žinkovy
Žinkovy
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°29′4″N 13°29′32″E / 49.48444°N 13.49222°E / 49.48444; 13.49222
Country Czech Republic
RegionPlzeň
DistrictPlzeň-South
First mentioned1176
Area
 • Total20.46 km2 (7.90 sq mi)
Elevation
464 m (1,522 ft)
Population
 (2023-01-01)[1]
 • Total861
 • Density42/km2 (110/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal codes
335 01, 335 54
Websitewww.zinkovy.cz

Administrative parts edit

The villages of Březí, Čepinec and Kokořov are administrative parts of Žinkovy.

Etymology edit

The oldest form of the name was Žizenkovy. The name was derived from the personal name Žizenka, meaning "Žizenka's (court)".[2]

Geography edit

Žinkovy is located about 29 kilometres (18 mi) south of Plzeň. It lies on the border between the Švihov Highlands and Blatná Uplands. The highest point is the hill Buč at 617 m (2,024 ft) above sea level. The Úslava River flows through the town. The area is rich in fishponds; south of the market town proper are two notable ponds, Labuť and Žinkovský.

History edit

The first written mention of Žinkovy is from 1176, when it was owned by Oldřich of Žinkovy. His descendant built the Potštejn Castle near Žinkovy in 1252–1259 and became known as Lords of Potštejn. The estates of Potštejn and Žinkovy were merged and Žinkovy was promoted to a market town in the second half of the 13th century. Lords of Potštejn owned the area until the 15th century, then the castle became a ruin.[3]

At the beginning of the 16th century, when the site of the old castle was already overgrown with forest, the market town experienced its greatest period of development. Labuť pond was established. Revenues from brewing, cattle breeding, and the cultivation and sale of cereals increased. A Renaissance fortress was built in 1559. Development was slowed down by big fires in 1684 and 1743 and Žinkovy had to be rebuilt.[3]

Demographics edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18691,573—    
18801,677+6.6%
18901,546−7.8%
19001,609+4.1%
19101,498−6.9%
YearPop.±%
19211,517+1.3%
19301,368−9.8%
19501,224−10.5%
19611,213−0.9%
19701,055−13.0%
YearPop.±%
19801,031−2.3%
19911,042+1.1%
2001931−10.7%
2011896−3.8%
2021861−3.9%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport edit

There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipality.

Sights edit

 
Žinkovy Castle

Among the main landmarks of Žinkovy is the Church of Saint Wenceslaus. The oldest church in Žinkovy was first documented in 1352. After the fire in 1734, it was demolished and the current Baroque church was built on its site in 1735.[6]

The Žinkovy Castle was built between 1624 and 1642 on the site of the Renaissance fortress. The castle was gradually extended into a three-wing Baroque building with Neoclassical modifications. After 1897, the castle was completely rebuilt in the Romantic style and surrounded by an English park. From 1999, it is privately owned and unused.[3][7]

Notable people edit

Twin towns – sister cities edit

Žinkovy is twinned with:[8]

References edit

  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2023". Czech Statistical Office. 2023-05-23.
  2. ^ Profous, Antonín (1957). Místní jména v Čechách IV: S–Ž (in Czech). pp. 846–847.
  3. ^ a b c "Historie" (in Czech). Městys Žinkovy. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  4. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Plzeň-jih" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 13–14.
  5. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  6. ^ "Kostel sv. Václava" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  7. ^ "Zámek" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  8. ^ "Partnerská obec" (in Czech). Městys Žinkovy. Retrieved 2024-01-16.

External links edit