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Úsov () is a town in
Å umperk District Å umperk District () is a Okres, district in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. Its capital is the town of Å umperk. Administrative division Å umperk District is divided into three Districts of the Czech Republic#Municipalities with extende ...
in the
Olomouc Region Olomouc Region (; , ; ) is an administrative unit () of the Czech Republic, located in the north-western and central part of its historical region of Moravia (''Morava'') and in a small part of the historical region of Czech Silesia (''České Sl ...
of the
Czech Republic The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...
. It has about 1,200 inhabitants.


Administrative division

Úsov consists of two municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census): *Úsov (1,015) *Bezděkov u Úsova (72) Bezděkov u Úsova forms an
exclave An enclave is a territory that is entirely surrounded by the territory of only one other state or entity. An enclave can be an independent territory or part of a larger one. Enclaves may also exist within territorial waters. ''Enclave'' is s ...
of the municipal territory.


Etymology

The name was probably derived from the personal name Ús. The personal name arose from the old Czech word ''vús'' (in modern Czech ''vous''), meaning 'beard'. The German name Aussee was created by transcription of the Czech name. In the first half of the 20th century, the name Mährisch Aussee ('
Moravia Moravia ( ; ) is a historical region in the eastern Czech Republic, roughly encompassing its territory within the Danube River's drainage basin. It is one of three historical Czech lands, with Bohemia and Czech Silesia. The medieval and early ...
n Aussee') was used in German. The Jewish community called the town (Ojsa).


Geography

Úsov is located about south of
Å umperk Å umperk (; ) is a town in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 25,000 inhabitants. It is an industrial town, but it also contains valuable historical and architectural monuments. The historic town centre is well preserved and i ...
and northwest of
Olomouc Olomouc (; ) is a city in the Czech Republic. It has about 103,000 inhabitants, making it the Statutory city (Czech Republic), sixth largest city in the country. It is the administrative centre of the Olomouc Region. Located on the Morava (rive ...
. It lies in the
HanuÅ¡ovice Highlands HanuÅ¡ovice Highlands (, ) are highlands within the Eastern Sudetes mountain range that runs between Poland and the Czech Republic. It is named after HanuÅ¡ovice town. The area is 793 km² and its average elevation is 527.2 meters. The hig ...
. The highest point, located in the territory's exclave, is at above sea level. The Doubravka Stream flows through the village of Úsov. Polický Pond is situated northwest of the village.


History

The first written mention of Úsov is from 1260. The castle was built around 1250. Before 1487 the lords of Vlašim modified the castle. In the 16th century, Úsov was in the possession of the lords of
Boskovice Boskovice (; ) is a town in Blansko District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 13,000 inhabitants. The area of the historic town centre, Jewish quarter, château complex and castle ruin is well preserved and is protec ...
, and in 1597 it was acquired by the
House of Liechtenstein The House of Liechtenstein (), from which the principality takes its name, is the family which reigns by hereditary right over the principality of Liechtenstein. Only Dynasty#Dynast, dynastic members of the family are eligible to inherit the thro ...
. The Liechtensteins owned the castle until 1945. The castle was damaged during the Swedish occupation in 1643. During the rule by Hans-Adam I of Liechtenstein, in 1692–1699, it was reconstructed and partially rebuilt into a large three-storey Baroque residence, designed by Domenico Martinelli. In 1852 the Moravian-Silesian Silviculture School was founded in Úsov, which operated here until 1867. It was one of the oldest high schools in
Moravia Moravia ( ; ) is a historical region in the eastern Czech Republic, roughly encompassing its territory within the Danube River's drainage basin. It is one of three historical Czech lands, with Bohemia and Czech Silesia. The medieval and early ...
. In 1860 there were 245 houses in Úsov with 2,662 inhabitants, of whom 950 were Jewish.


Jewish community

Presence of the Jews in the town was first documented in 1564. The Jewish quarter was established in 1589. In 1609, the community warranted its first rabbi. However, in 1643, the developing community was affected by the invasion of Swedish troops, which caused many loss of life. Around 1645, the cemetery was established. The synagogue destroyed during the war was replaced by a new one in 1688. In the late 17th century, the community lived under the protection of Prince of Liechtenstein, and in the 1700s, the number of families reached 110. As a result of
anti-Semitic Antisemitism or Jew-hatred is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who harbours it is called an antisemite. Whether antisemitism is considered a form of racism depends on the school of thought. Antisemi ...
tensions, a conflict ensued in 1721 and the synagogue had to be demolished in 1722. The third synagogue was built in 1783–1784. Due to the constantly declining population, the local Jewish community was amalgamated with the neighbouring communities in 1890.
Å umperk Å umperk (; ) is a town in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 25,000 inhabitants. It is an industrial town, but it also contains valuable historical and architectural monuments. The historic town centre is well preserved and i ...
became the seat of the Jewish religious congregation. The synagogue was used until 1938, when the interior was demolished during the ''
Kristallnacht ( ) or the Night of Broken Glass, also called the November pogrom(s) (, ), was a pogrom against Jews carried out by the Nazi Party's (SA) and (SS) paramilitary forces along with some participation from the Hitler Youth and German civilia ...
''. The Jewish community disappeared during
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
as a result of
the Holocaust The Holocaust (), known in Hebrew language, Hebrew as the (), was the genocide of History of the Jews in Europe, European Jews during World War II. From 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany and Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy ...
.


Demographics


Transport

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


Sights

The castle houses a museum, which was founded here by
Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein Johann II (Johann Maria Franz Placidus; 5 October 1840 – 11 February 1929), nicknamed the Good (), was Prince of Liechtenstein from 12 November 1858 until his death in 1929. His reign of 70 years and 91 days is the third-longest of any sovere ...
in 1898. The Hunting and Forestry Museum contains a unique collection of trophies from Liechtenstein expeditions from around the world. There is about 10,000 exhibits and it is the largest museum of its kind in
Central Europe Central Europe is a geographical region of Europe between Eastern Europe, Eastern, Southern Europe, Southern, Western Europe, Western and Northern Europe, Northern Europe. Central Europe is known for its cultural diversity; however, countries in ...
. The Church of Saint Giles was built in the Baroque style in 1736. Behind the church is a Baroque granary from the late 18th century. The building of the former synagogue is repaired and contains a museum exhibition. Near the synagogue is the Jewish cemetery. The cemetery contains about 500 tombstones and the oldest readable is from 1745.


Twin towns – sister cities

Úsov is twinned with: * Lazany, Slovakia


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Usov Populated places in Å umperk District Cities and towns in the Czech Republic Jewish communities in the Czech Republic