Nová Role

Nová Role (German: Neurohlau) is a town in Karlovy Vary District in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 4,300 inhabitants.

Nová Role
Town
Centre of Nová Role
Flag Coat of arms
Nová Role Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°16′16″N 12°47′3″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Karlovy Vary
District	Karlovy Vary
First mentioned	1293
Government
• Mayor	Luboš Pastor
Area
• Total	13.53 km2 (5.22 sq mi)
Elevation	418 m (1,371 ft)
Population  (2025-01-01)[1]
• Total	4,277
• Density	320/km2 (820/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	362 25
Website	www.novarole.cz

Administrative division

Nová Role consists of three municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):^[2]

• Nová Role (3,247)
• Jimlíkov (137)
• Mezirolí (662)

Geography

Nová Role is located about 6 kilometres (4 mi) northwest of Karlovy Vary. The town proper lies in the Sokolov Basin, but the municipal territory also extends to the north into the Ore Mountains. The highest point is the Borový hill at 512 m (1,680 ft) above sea level. The Rolava River flows through the town.

On the western edge of the town is the fishpond Novorolský rybník, supplied by the stream Vlčí potok. It has an area of 20 ha (49 acres) and is used for recreational purposes and fish farming.^[3]

History

The first written mention of Nová Role is from 1293, when it was a royal property. It was a Slavic village, whose foundation is associated with deposits of tin, silver and iron ore on the upper course of the Rolava River. Until 1411, Nová Role belonged to the Loket estate, then it became part of the Sokolov estate. In 1554, Nová Role was acquired by the Schlick family. From 1622 until the establishment of a sovereign municipality in 1848, it was property of the Nostitz family.^[4]

During World War II, Nazi German Neurohlau concentration camp was located here.

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 779 —     1880 927 +19.0% 1890 1,068 +15.2% 1900 1,388 +30.0% 1910 1,583 +14.0%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 1,458 −7.9% 1930 1,859 +27.5% 1950 1,156 −37.8% 1961 2,569 +122.2% 1970 4,578 +78.2%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 4,467 −2.4% 1991 3,888 −13.0% 2001 4,048 +4.1% 2011 3,920 −3.2% 2021 4,046 +3.2%
Source: Censuses[5][6]

Transport

Nová Role is located on the railway line Karlovy Vary–Nejdek, further continuing to Potůčky or Nové Hamry. It is also connected with Loket.^[7]

Sights

Church of Saint Michael

The main landmark of Nová Role is the Church of Saint Michael. It was originally built in the Romanesque-Gothic style in 1240–1255. In 1781, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style. It is one of the oldest buildings in the region, demonstrating the penetration of Burgundian influences into the early Gothic architecture of Bohemia.^[8]

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic

Nová Role is twinned with:^[9]

• Breitenbrunn, Germany