Nová Paka

Nová Paka
Town
Town square with Church of Saint Nicholas
Flag Coat of arms
Nová Paka Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°29′23″N 15°30′49″E / 50.48972°N 15.51361°E / 50.48972; 15.51361
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Hradec Králové
District	Jičín
First mentioned	1357
Government
• Mayor	Pavel Bouchner
Area
• Total	28.68 km² (11.07 sq mi)
Elevation	427 m (1,401 ft)
Population (2023-01-01)^[1]
• Total	9,035
• Density	320/km² (820/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	509 01
Website	www.munovapaka.cz

Nová Paka (Czech pronunciation: [ˈnovaː ˈpaka], German: Neupaka) is a town in Jičín District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 9,000 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The villages of Heřmanice, Kumburský Újezd, Podlevín, Přibyslav, Pustá Proseč, Radkyně, Štikov, Studénka, Valdov, Vlkov, Vrchovina and Zlámaniny are administrative parts of Nová Paka.

Etymology

The name Paka appeared in its initial form as Paká. The meaning of the adjective paká is unclear. It probably meant 'opposite' (opačná in modern Czech), and probably referred to its location on the shady slopes, away from the sun. Already from the 14th century, two settlements (Stará Paka – 'old Paka' and Nová Paka – 'new Paka') were distinguished.^[2]

Geography

Nová Paka is located about 13 kilometres (8 mi) northeast of Hradec Králové and 37 km (23 mi) northwest of Hradec Králové. It lies in a hilly landscape of the Giant Mountains Foothills. The highest point is at 568 m (1,864 ft) above sea level.

History

The first written mention of Nová Paka is from 1357 with regard to the installation of new vicar to the Church of Saint Nicholas. During these times the town was called Mladá Paka ("Young Paka").^[3]

In 1563, the almost entire town was destroyed by fire. In 1586, the plague killed approximately half of the citizens. Another 450 people died of plague in 1625. In 1643, during the Thirty Years' War, the town was pillaged by the Swedish Army. A fire in 1666 destroyed the northern part on the town square.^[4]

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1869	7,270	—
1880	7,097	−2.4%
1890	7,352	+3.6%
1900	8,141	+10.7%
1910	9,230	+13.4%

Year	Pop.	±%
1921	8,568	−7.2%
1930	8,949	+4.4%
1950	8,072	−9.8%
1961	8,398	+4.0%
1970	9,043	+7.7%

Year	Pop.	±%
1980	8,842	−2.2%
1991	9,380	+6.1%
2001	9,299	−0.9%
2011	9,140	−1.7%
2021	8,530	−6.7%

Source: Censuses^[5]^[6]

Economy

Nová Paka is known for the Nová Paka Brewery.

Transport

The I/16 road (the section from Trutnov to Jičín) runs through the town.

Nová Paka is located on the railway line Kolín–Trutnov. The town is served by two train stations, Nová Paka and Nová Paka město.^[7]

Sights

The Church of Saint Nicholas was first mentioned in 1357 and rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style in 1872. The Marian Holy Trinity column is from 1716 and is the oldest statue in the town. On the square there is a fountain from 1814 and monument to Jan Hus from 1898.^[3]

Thanks to the legend of finding a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary, the Minim monastery was established in the second half of the 17th century. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built in 1709–1724 and made Nová Paka a pilgrimage site. After the religious reform of Joseph II, the monastery was closed in 1785. From 1872, the premises served as a hospital. Today it houses social services.^[3]

Cemetery Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows comes from 1700–1709. The wooden Greek Catholic Church of the Transfiguration of Jesus and Saint Nicholas was transferred from Carpathian Ruthenia in 1930.^[3]

Sucharda's House is a Neorenaissance house from 1895–1896. It belonged to the Sucharda family, from which many notable sculptors, woodcarvers and painters came. Nowadays there is a historic exposition and a gallery of artists from the region.^[3]