Kolín facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kolín
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Town
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Town hall on the Karlovo Square
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 Kolín
Location in Czech Republic
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| Country |  Czech Republic |
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| Region | Central Bohemian | ||
| District | Kolín | ||
| First mentioned | 1261 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 34.99 km2 (13.51 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 220 m (720 ft) | ||
| Population
(2024-01-01)
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| • Total | 33,229 | ||
| • Density | 949.67/km2 (2,459.6/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postal code |
280 02
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Kolín is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. About 33,000 people live there. The old part of the town is very well kept. It is protected by law as a special historic area.
Contents
What is Kolín?
Kolín is made up of different parts. These include Kolín I through VI. It also has smaller villages like Sendražice and Štítary.
Where Does the Name Kolín Come From?
The name Kolín likely comes from an old Czech word. This word is koliti, which means "to hammer poles." This name is linked to how the older town, Starý Kolín, was built. It was in a flood-prone area. People used wooden poles to make the ground stronger.
Where is Kolín Located?
Kolín is about 47 kilometers (29 miles) east of Prague. It sits in a flat, fertile area called the Central Elbe Table. The Elbe River flows right through the town. There is also a lake called Sandberk. This lake was made when a sandstone quarry was flooded.
A Look at Kolín's Past
Kolín has a long history. An old map from the 2nd century mentions a place called Budorgis here.
How Kolín Was Founded
King Ottokar II founded Kolín in the 1200s. The original settlement, Starý Kolín ("Old Kolín"), was often flooded. So, the king decided to move the town to a safer spot. Kolín was first mentioned in writing in 1261. It was noted that Kolín, like Přelouč and Kouřim, received special town rights. The town was also on an important trade route. This route connected Prague to Moravia.
Kolín's Castle and Jewish Community
Jewish people began living in Kolín in the 1300s. A castle was built in Kolín between 1437 and 1438. It was built on the remains of a monastery that had burned down. Later, during the Thirty Years' War, the castle was damaged. In the 1600s, it was rebuilt and used as a brewery. Sadly, the castle burned down again in 1911. It lost its old Renaissance style.
Wars and Kolín
Kolín was the site of the Battle of Kolín in 1757. This battle happened during the Seven Years' War. Much later, in 1944, a factory in Kolín was bombed. This happened during World War II. The factory produced important materials for the war effort.
How Many People Live in Kolín?
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What is Kolín Known For Today?
Kolín has an important industrial area. This area is home to a large car factory. It belongs to Toyota. This factory employs many people, making it a key employer in the region. Kolín is also home to OTK, a company that makes packaging and paper products.
Getting Around Kolín
Kolín is well-connected by roads. The I/12 road links it to Prague. The I/38 road also passes through the town. Kolín is also a major railway hub. Train lines connect it to big cities like Prague and Olomouc. These lines also go to Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland.
What to See in Kolín
The historic center of Kolín is beautiful. It has many old buildings from the Gothic and Baroque times.
Church of Saint Bartholomew
The most important building is the Church of Saint Bartholomew. It is a national cultural monument. The church was first built in the 1200s. A famous architect, Peter Parler, rebuilt parts of it in the 1300s. A separate bell tower was added later. In the late 1800s, the church was restored to its Gothic look.
Kolín Town Hall
The town hall is another important building in the main square. It was originally a Gothic house from the 1400s. It was rebuilt in a Neo-Renaissance style in 1887.
Jewish Ghetto and Cemetery
Kolín has an old Jewish ghetto. It includes a synagogue built in 1696. This is the second oldest and most valuable synagogue in Bohemia. The Jewish cemetery is also very old and large. It was started in the early 1400s.
Famous People from Kolín
- Jakub Krčín (1535–1604), a builder of ponds and dams
- Jean-Gaspard Deburau (1796–1846), a famous mime artist
- František Kmoch (1848–1912), a well-known composer
- Josef Sudek (1896–1976), a famous photographer
- Václav Morávek (1904–1942), a brave soldier and war hero
- Miloš Zeman (born 1944), a former president of the Czech Republic
- Bohdan Ulihrach (born 1975), a tennis player
- Barbora Poláková (born 1983), an actress and singer
Sister Cities
Kolín has "sister city" relationships with several towns around the world. This helps them share culture and ideas.
Dietikon, Switzerland
Duino-Aurisina, Italy
Érd, Hungary
Kamenz, Germany
Lubań, Poland
Rimavská Sobota, Slovakia
