Poděbrady

Geobox | Settlement
name = Poděbrady
other_name =
category = Town


image_caption = Castle of Poděbrady

| flag_border = 1
symbol = Znak města Poděbrady.gif
etymology =
official_name =
motto =
nickname =
country = Czech Republic
country_

state =
region = Central Bohemian
region_type = Region
district = Nymburk
district_type = District
commune = Poděbrady
municipality =
part =
river = Elbe
location =
elevation = 185
lat_d = 50
lat_m = 08
lat_s =
lat_NS = N
long_d = 15
long_m = 07
long_s =
long_EW = E
highest =
highest_elevation =
highest_lat_d =
highest_long_d =
lowest =
lowest_elevation =
lowest_lat_d =
lowest_long_d =
area = 33.70
area_round = 2
population = 13255
population_date = 2006
population_density = auto
established = 12th century
established_type = First mentioned
mayor = Jozef Ďurčanský
timezone =

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map_background = Czechia - background map.png map_caption = Location in the Czech Republic
map_locator = Czechia
commons = Poděbrady
statistics = [http://www.statnisprava.cz/ebe/ciselniky.nsf/i/537683 statnisprava.cz]
website = [http://www.mesto-podebrady.cz/ www.mesto-podebrady.cz]
footnotes =

Poděbrady (IPA2|ˈpoɟɛbradɪ) is a beautiful historical spa town in the Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic. It lies on the river Elbe just 50 km east of Prague (30 minutes by a car - Highway D11). Surrounded by meadows, woods and a natural park, the town is ideal for recreation and outdoor sports. A historic milestone in the life of the town was the year 1905, when it was visited by the German estate owner Prince von Bülow. This well-known water diviner found in the inner courtyard signs of a strong spring, which was later really bored to a depth of 97,6 metres. The discovery of carbonic mineral water resulted in the opening of the first spa in 1908. After World War I Poděbrady rapidly changed into a spa town which from 1926 specialized in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, rapidly gaining renown not only in this country, but also abroad.

The history of Poděbrady reaches back to primeval times, long before the beginnings of the Czech state. A long-distance trade route running from Prague to eastern Bohemia and then on to Silesia and Poland passed through the then forested landscape interwoven with a dense network of river branches. This important communication intersected the River Elbe to the west of the present town - at the place called Na vinici.

An ancient community and a small fortress originated near the ford. It is most likely that the position of this community is reflected in the present name of the town - Poděbrady - "pode brody" = below the ford.

Points of interests

-Near Podebrady, there is a longwave transmitter used for transmitting meteorological reports. It use a T-antenna mounted on 2 150 meters tall guyed masts. The local golf course is located on the site of the transmitter

-The mineral water that was found in the early 1900s better known as Poděbradka. The mineral water has iron deposits in it, if left in a bottle over the course of a few days there will be a rust like deposit settle on the bottom and will stain plastic water bottles. There are roughly 4 free public taps that you are able to get your own Poděbradka. There is also a refined version of Poděbradka that is not as heavy with the Iron deposits that is able to be purchased at most stores in the Czech Republic.

People connected with Poděbrady

* George of Podebrady, King of Bohemia
* Hans Janowitz, author
* Miloš Forman, filmmaker

Sister cities

* Piešťany, Slovakia

External links

* [http://www.mesto-podebrady.cz/index_br.htm Official Web site]