Ždírec (Jihlava District)

Ždírec
Municipality
Church of Saint Wenceslaus
Flag Coat of arms
Ždírec
Coordinates: 49°27′12″N 15°40′50″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Vysočina
District	Jihlava
Area
• Total	10.35 km2 (4.00 sq mi)
Elevation	515 m (1,690 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	405
• Density	39/km2 (100/sq mi)
Postal code	588 13
Website	http://www.obeczdirec.cz

Ždírec (German: Seelenz) is a village situated in Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. The municipality covers an area of 10.35 square kilometres (4.00 sq mi) and has a population of 405 (as at 26 March 2011). Ždírec lies approximately 10 kilometres north-east of Jihlava and 4.5 kilometres south-west of Polná.

History

The first historical reference comes from 1233, but the village is probably older. From the 13th century to the Second World War Ždírec was ethnically a German village. After the expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia the village was settled by Czechs.

The name of the village comes from the word žďáření (slash-and-burn).

Facilities

Ždírec has a small shop, a restaurant, a library, a nursery, a retirement home, a multipurpose building and a football field. The village has had its own flag and coat of arms since 2008.

Historical sights

• The Church of Saint Wenceslaus is situated in the centre of the village. It was reconstructed after the fire in the 19th century in pseudo gothic style. It became cultural landmark of the Czech Republic on 3 May 1958.
• Baroque sculptural group of Saint John of Nepomuk from the 18th century.
• Baroque statue of Anthony of Padua
• Building of retirement home with chapel of the Virgin Mary
• Cemetery with many old graves of local German citizens

References

• Official website
• Czech Statistical Office: Municipalities of Jihlava District