Chvaletice is a town in Pardubice District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,900 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The village of Hornická Čtvrť is an administrative part of Chvaletice.

Etymology

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

Geography

Chvaletice is located about 25 km 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 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. In 1953, Telčice became a separate municipality, however in 1975 Telčice and Chvaletice were merged into one municipality. In 1981, Chvaletice obtained town rights.

Demographics

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-manganium ore started in the 20th century. The mines got exhausted and were finally closed in 1975. 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.

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.

Sights

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