Velká Dobrá

I. Location

The village lies in The Middle Bohemia 4 kilometres from Kladno. It is situated at the former Eger path, at present Carlsbad road (sector Pavlov-Dobra-Doksy or Unhost-Valdek-Dobra-Kladno). At past 9 ponds were occured around the village, but nowdays there is only the one on the village green under castle. It lies 409 m. above sea level. A green turist mark n.37 goes through the village.

Municipal office: Karlovarska 15 PSC 273 61

II. Origin of village name

To 1935 the village was called Mala and Velka Dobra and many years before Horejsi and Dolejsi Dobra. During 'protektorat' was called Groß Dobray. The name of the village is the evidence of good water or fertile land.

III. Inhabitants

Present population is 1033 citizens. The first mentions about the village are from the beginning of 14. century. At the time of Hussite movement the village was severally damaged, because it was situated along important trade path. Old chronicle is a proof, that the restory in Druzec, where Dobra's people belonged to kept steady catholical power in the village. The next written message exists not a century before. In 1548 Mala Dobra had 8 settlers, Velka Dobra then 9 settlers. The thirty years war (1618-1648) left bad reports. Chronicle is stated, that in 1662 6 farm land was empty from 14. Inhabitants were slaughtered, died on some epidemy or escaped to forrests. In 1688 there were 9 settlers and 4 empty farm lands. At that time a stronghold was rebuilt to granary. Thereafter the number of inhabitans was growing up. Till the middle of the last century Kladno's region was almost an agriculture area. Citizens of the village were mostly farmers. Only the small part of them were artisans. In 1843 the number of Mala Dobra inhabitants amounted 326 citizens (42 houses), Velka Dobra's amounted 291 persons (36 houses). The average was then 8 persons at a house. Not before 1848 the first black coal mines were starting to open at Kladno region. Consequently new working possibilities were created for settlers, which gave proper lovelihood. In 1852 Adalbert Works was set up in Kladno, predeccesor of POLDI steelworks. Inhabitants of village labour also dealt to industralization Kladno region. In 1857 the number of inhabitants of both villages Velka and Mala Dobra was 115 higher. In 1870 there were 748 citizens in both villages. After canceling Unhost district in 1929 the village have become part of Kladno district. In house at Carlsbad street number 161 Vaclav Nosek (1892-1955) was born, one of founders Czechoslovak communist party and also Stb (communist secret service). He was the head of Home Office during communist putch in February 1948. He was also responsible for some unlaw political trials of 50.years.

IV. History

Surroundings of the village was settled through primeval ages. Very famous gravemound burialground from the middle Bronze age 1200 B.C. was discovered in the end of 19. century at the forrest called Hora near the village. This place was explored by Dr.Szombaty. Over the biggest gravemound was set up a monument in 50. years. Near burialground was probably also a habitation. Around 60 gravemound was dug through and many bronze weapons and tools of everyday use were found. Discoveries have been exposed in National Museum in Prague and Vienna. The first writting message about Dobra came from 1328, at that time Bohuslav z Dobre was remembered. At the area of Velka Dobra two strongholds had existed since 14. century. 'The lower' was used as the settlement of Zdarsti ze Zdaru in 16. century. After The thirty years war it was used to farm purpose. In 19. century it was demolished. 'The lower' was located at place of school-house and baroque building Polesi on J.A. Komensky square. 700 years old, building of 'The upper' stronghold was kept to the present days. It is located near crossroad of Carlsbad road and road from Beroun to Kladno, not far from restaurant Marlboro. At the middle part of the building is gothic vault, somewhere we can see renessance elements. At the break of 17. and 18. century 'The upper" stronghold was rebuilt to granary and at these features we can see it nowdays. Even at the beginning of The thirty years war, when Protestant troops went through the village from Rakovnik on August 26, 1619 and which was the member also Czech king Fridrich Falcky, the village was looted. One of clerical property, which were kept, it is at first the statue of Jan Nepomucky from 1753. The statue was conserved and set up near church above pond. In 1765 Dobra citizens built up a church dedicated Founding of st. Cross. After years in 1816 the church was rebuilt to present shapes. After building up the churh was dedicated by Antonin Hertzok z Adlersbergu, Smecno dean, on October 12, 1817. Next event is from 1866 the time of Austrian-Prusian war. At that time Prusian troops penetrated to Bohemia and visited the village. Soldiers were accomodated here. Thereafter cholera broke out and consequently 30 citizens died.