Mírov (German: Mürau) is a municipality and village in Šumperk District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 400 inhabitants. It is known for its high-security and maximum security prison.

Mírov
Mírov Prison
Mírov Prison
Flag of Mírov
Coat of arms of Mírov
Mírov is located in Czech Republic
Mírov
Mírov
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°47′53″N 16°50′51″E / 49.79806°N 16.84750°E / 49.79806; 16.84750
Country Czech Republic
RegionOlomouc
DistrictŠumperk
First mentioned1266
Area
 • Total
13.57 km2 (5.24 sq mi)
Elevation
395 m (1,296 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total
353
 • Density26/km2 (67/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC 1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC 2 (CEST)
Postal codes
789 01
Websitewww.obecmirov.cz

Geography

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Mírov is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) southwest of Šumperk and 36 km (22 mi) northwest of Olomouc. It lies in the Zábřeh Highlands. The highest point is a hill at 559 m (1,834 ft) above sea level. The Mírovka Stream flows through the municipality.

History

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The first written mention of Mírov is from 1266. A medieval castle from the mid-12th century in Mírov was rebuilt into a Baroque fortress in 1684. It served as the occasional seat of the Olomouc archbishop until 1741, when it was looted by Prussian army. In 1750, the fortress was rebuilt into a prison. In 1850, the prison was bought by the state, a neo-Gothic reconstruction was carried out and a state prison was set up there.[2]

From 1980 to 1990, Mírov was an administrative part of Mohelnice.[2]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
18692,162—    
18802,107−2.5%
18901,982−5.9%
19001,740−12.2%
19101,550−10.9%
YearPop.±%
19211,607 3.7%
19301,016−36.8%
1950676−33.5%
1961643−4.9%
1970546−15.1%
YearPop.±%
1980494−9.5%
1991409−17.2%
2001436 6.6%
2011748 71.6%
2021760 1.6%
Source: Censuses[3][4]

Economy

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Today, the castle serves as a high-security and maximum security prison. It has a capacity of 381 prisoners. With about 250 employees, it is the main employer in Mírov.[5]

Transport

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The I/35 road (part of the European route E442) passes through the municipality. It replaces the unfinished section of the D35 motorway from Olomouc to the Hradec Králové Region.

Sights

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The main landmark and the most important historic monument is the neo-Gothic castle with the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene.[6] The Baroque church was built in 1664–1687.[7]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ a b "Strategický rozvojový plán obce Mírov 2018–2023" (PDF) (in Czech). Obec Mírov. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  3. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  4. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  5. ^ "Věznice Mírov: Základní informace" (in Czech). Prison Service of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  6. ^ "Hrad Mírov s kostelem sv. Markéty" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  7. ^ "Mše svatá v kostele sv. Markéty" (in Czech). Prison Service of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
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