Kunovice

Summary

Kunovice (Czech pronunciation: [ˈkunovɪtsɛ]; German: Kunowitz) is a town in Uherské Hradiště District in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 5,600 inhabitants.

Kunovice
Town square
Town square
Flag of Kunovice
Coat of arms of Kunovice
Kunovice is located in Czech Republic
Kunovice
Kunovice
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°2′31″N 17°27′59″E / 49.04194°N 17.46639°E / 49.04194; 17.46639
Country Czech Republic
RegionZlín
DistrictUherské Hradiště
First mentioned1196
Government
 • MayorPavel Vardan
Area
 • Total28.55 km2 (11.02 sq mi)
Elevation
198 m (650 ft)
Population
 (2023-01-01)[1]
 • Total5,638
 • Density200/km2 (510/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
686 04
Websitewww.mesto-kunovice.cz

Geography edit

Kunovice forms a conurbation with neighbouring Uherské Hradiště. It lies on the border between the Vizovice Highlands and Lower Morava Valley. The highest point is the hill Hluboček at 351 m (1,152 ft) above sea level. The Olšava River flows through the town and flows into the Morava, which forms the northern border of the territory.

History edit

 
Town hall

The first written mention of Kunovice is from 1196. Until the establishment of Uherské Hradiště in the mid-13th century, it was an important administrative centre and defensive point with a castle. From the beginning of the 15th century, Kunovice was referred to as a market town.[2]

In the 1930s, when an Avia factory was established, Kunovice began to transform from an agriculture community to an industrial one. In 1949–1954 and 1972–1990, Kunovice was an administrative part of Uherské Hradiště. Kunovice gained the town status in 1997.[2]

Demographics edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18693,364—    
18803,539+5.2%
18903,776+6.7%
19004,075+7.9%
19104,452+9.3%
YearPop.±%
19214,698+5.5%
19304,520−3.8%
19504,800+6.2%
19615,333+11.1%
19705,368+0.7%
YearPop.±%
19805,558+3.5%
19915,195−6.5%
20015,152−0.8%
20115,496+6.7%
20215,337−2.9%
Source: Censuses[3][4]

Economy edit

Since 1936, the aircraft manufacturer Aircraft Industries (formerly Let Kunovice) has been based at Kunovice Airport near the town. The airport also hosts aircraft manufacturers Czech Sport Aircraft and Evektor-Aerotechnik. It is designated as a private international airport.

The largest Czech producer of refrigerated and durable food, Hamé s.r.o. company owned by the Orkla ASA conglomerate, has its headquarters in Kunovice.[5]

Transport edit

The town is located at the intersection of two first-class roads: the I/50 road (part of the European route E50) from Brno to the Czech-Slovak border in Starý Hrozenkov and the I/55 road, which connects Olomouc and Zlín with the Czech-Austrian border in Břeclav.

Kunovice served by two train stations on different railway lines. The station Kunovice zastávka is located on the Brno–Staré Město line.[6] The station Kunovice is located on the Staré Město–Bylnice line.[7]

Sights edit

 
Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The landmark od Kunovice is the Church of Church of Saints Peter and Paul. Its core dates from the 16th century. The church was rebuilt and extended in 1759–1761.[8]

The main tourist attraction is the Kunovice Aviation Museum, located at the town's airport. It was founded in 1970.[9]

Notable people edit

  • Anton Gala (1891–1977), Slovak scientist, ophthalmologist and university professor
  • Josef Abrhám (1939–2022), actor; grew up here

Twin towns – sister cities edit

Kunovice is twinned with:[10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2023". Czech Statistical Office. 2023-05-23.
  2. ^ a b "Historie Kunovic" (in Czech). Město Kunovice. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  3. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011 – Okres Uherské Hradiště" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21. pp. 3–4.
  4. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  5. ^ "Základní fakta o Hamé" (in Czech). Hamé s.r.o. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  6. ^ "Detail stanice Kunovice zast" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  7. ^ "Detail stanice Kunovice" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  8. ^ "Kostel sv. Petra a Pavla v Kunovicích" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  9. ^ "Historie muzea" (in Czech). Kunovice Aviation Museum. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  10. ^ "Partnerská města" (in Czech). Město Kunovice. Retrieved 2023-04-09.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Aircraft Industries company