Družec is a municipality and village in Kladno District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,100 inhabitants.

Družec
Družec from the Calvary Rock
Družec from the Calvary Rock
Flag of Družec
Coat of arms of Družec
Družec is located in Czech Republic
Družec
Družec
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°6′11″N 14°2′44″E / 50.10306°N 14.04556°E / 50.10306; 14.04556
Country Czech Republic
RegionCentral Bohemian
DistrictKladno
First mentioned1320
Area
 • Total7.12 km2 (2.75 sq mi)
Elevation
375 m (1,230 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total1,077
 • Density150/km2 (390/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
273 62
Websitewww.obecdruzec.cz

Etymology

The name was originally written as Družeč and was derived from the personal name Družec, meaning "Družec's (court)".[2]

Geography

Družec is located about 6 kilometres (4 mi) southwest of Kladno and 20 km (12 mi) west of Prague. It lies in the Křivoklát Highlands. The highest point is the Dojka hill at 445 m (1,460 ft) above sea level. The Loděnice River flows through the municipality.

History

The first written mention of Družec is from 1320.[3]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1869655—    
1880734+12.1%
1890762+3.8%
1900855+12.2%
1910967+13.1%
YearPop.±%
1921865−10.5%
1930904+4.5%
1950919+1.7%
1961900−2.1%
1970835−7.2%
YearPop.±%
1980832−0.4%
1991806−3.1%
2001821+1.9%
20111,009+22.9%
20211,044+3.5%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport

The D6 motorway from Prague to Karlovy Vary runs through the northern part of the municipality.

Sights

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

The main landmark of Družec is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It is a pilgrimage church, first mentioned in 1352. The originally Gothic church was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1688–1689.[6]

Next to the church there is a sandstone Marian column from 1674 and a man-sized menhir called Zkamenělec ("Man-turned-into-stone"), surrounded with legends of a punished perjurer.[7]

References