Branná

Coordinates: 50°9′12″N 17°0′42″E / 50.15333°N 17.01167°E / 50.15333; 17.01167
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Branná
Advocatus' seat
Advocatus' seat
Flag of Branná
Coat of arms of Branná
Branná is located in Czech Republic
Branná
Branná
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°9′12″N 17°0′42″E / 50.15333°N 17.01167°E / 50.15333; 17.01167
Country Czech Republic
RegionOlomouc
DistrictŠumperk
First mentioned1325
Area
 • Total14.56 km2 (5.62 sq mi)
Elevation
633 m (2,077 ft)
Population
 (2023-01-01)[1]
 • Total272
 • Density19/km2 (48/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal codes
788 25
Websitewww.branna.eu

Branná (until 1949 Kolštejn; German: Goldenstein) is a municipality and village in Šumperk District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 300 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

Geography[edit]

Branná is located about 21 kilometres (13 mi) north of Šumperk and 64 km (40 mi) north of Olomouc. It lies in the northern part of the Hanušovice Highlands. The highest point is a hill at 842 m (2,762 ft) above sea level. The village of Branná is situated on a rocky cliff above the Branná River.

History[edit]

Branná (that time known under the name Goldenstein/Kolštejn) was founded around 1282 as a settlement on an old trade route to Silesia.[2] The first written mention of the Kolštejn Castle is from 1325. The castle was probably built in 1308–1310.[3]

After the Battle of White Mountain, Kolštejn was confiscated from its owners and acquired by the House of Liechtenstein. During their rule, the town and the castle lost their importance. In 1918, the municipality acquired the castle.[3]

From 1938 to 1945, Kolštejn was annexed by Nazi Germany and administered as part of the Reichsgau Sudetenland.[3] In 1949, the name of the municipality was changed to Branná.[4]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18691,274—    
18801,460+14.6%
18901,428−2.2%
19001,375−3.7%
19101,432+4.1%
YearPop.±%
19211,246−13.0%
19301,331+6.8%
1950521−60.9%
1961525+0.8%
1970454−13.5%
YearPop.±%
1980430−5.3%
1991399−7.2%
2001375−6.0%
2011285−24.0%
2021272−4.6%
Source: Censuses[5][6]

Transport[edit]

Branná is located on the railway line ZábřehJeseník.[7]

Sights[edit]

Kolštejn castle complex

The complex of the Kolštejn Castle and Kolštejn Chateau is the main landmark. The castle complex gained its today's appearance in the 15th century, when extensive fortifications were built, and in the early 17th century, when Renaissance chateau buildings and the entrance tower were built. Today the castle complex is in private ownership. The Gothic castle is a ruin open to the public, and the chateau serves as a hotel with restaurant.[2][3]

A valuable monument is the Advocatus' seat. It is a Renaissance building, dating from the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. Today it is unused.[8]

The Church of Saint Michael the Archangel was built in the late Renaissance style in 1612–1614. Next to the church are a Neoclassical rectory from 1784 and Baroque statues.[2][9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2023". Czech Statistical Office. 2023-05-23.
  2. ^ a b c "Historie" (in Czech). Obec Branná. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  3. ^ a b c d "History of chateau". Chateau Goldenstein. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  4. ^ "Vyhláška č. 3/1950 Sb". Zákony pro lidi (in Czech). Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  5. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Šumperk" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 1–2.
  6. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  7. ^ "Detail stanice Branná" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  8. ^ "Fojtství" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  9. ^ "Kostel archanděla Michaela s farou" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2024-04-23.

External links[edit]