Chvaletice

Chvaletice (Czech pronunciation: [ˈxvalɛcɪtsɛ]) is a town in Pardubice District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,900 inhabitants.

Chvaletice
Town
Centre of Chvaletice
Flag Coat of arms
Chvaletice Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°2′4″N 15°25′7″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Pardubice
District	Pardubice
First mentioned	1143
Government
• Mayor	Renata Dymešová
Area
• Total	8.50 km2 (3.28 sq mi)
Elevation	222 m (728 ft)
Population  (2025-01-01)[1]
• Total	2,925
• Density	340/km2 (890/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	533 12
Website	www.chvaletice.cz

Administrative division

Chvaletice consists of two municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):^[2]

• Chvaletice (2,688)
• Hornická Čtvrť (118)

Etymology

The name is derived from the personal name Chvalata, meaning "the village of Chvalata's people".^[3]

Geography

Chvaletice is located about 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Pardubice. It lies in the Polabí region; the northern part of the municipal territory lies in the East Elbe Table and the southern part lies in the northwestern tip of the Iron Mountains. The highest point is the flat hill Oklika at 308 m (1,010 ft) above sea level. The Elbe River forms the northern municipal border.

History

In the area there were originally two villages, Telčice and Chvaletice, both administered by Chvaletice. The first written mention of Telčice comes from 1143 and of Chvaletice from 1393.^[4]

In 1953, Telčice became a separate municipality, however in 1975 Telčice and Chvaletice were merged into one municipality. In 1981, Chvaletice obtained town rights.^[5]

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 818 —     1880 900 +10.0% 1890 866 −3.8% 1900 767 −11.4% 1910 793 +3.4%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 814 +2.6% 1930 747 −8.2% 1950 778 +4.1% 1961 2,652 +240.9% 1970 2,539 −4.3%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 3,031 +19.4% 1991 3,101 +2.3% 2001 3,312 +6.8% 2011 2,933 −11.4% 2021 2,806 −4.3%
Source: Censuses[6][7]

Economy

Since ancient times, iron ore was mined here, until the Thirty Years' War; then again since the end of 18th century. Mining of pyrite-manganese ore started in the 20th century. The mines got exhausted and were finally closed in 1975.^[8]

The tailings left behind after mining contain the largest manganese deposit in Europe.^[9] The Czech government declared it a strategic deposit in 2025 and plans are underway to begin mining it.^[10]

In 1973–1979, the Chvaletice Power Station was built, with the coal being moved in from mines in northern Bohemia by ships on the Elbe River. To make such shipping possible large excavation works (Elbe Waterway project) on the riverbed were carried out. Use of ships stopped in 1996.^[11]

Transport

The I/2 road (the section from Pardubice to Kutná Hora) passes south of the town.

Chvaletice is located on the railway line Kolín–Česká Třebová.^[12]

Sights

Evangelical church

The most valuable building is the Evangelical church in Hornická Čtvrť. It was built in the Neo-Renaissance style in 1882.^[13]