městské opevnění v Jevíčku Town walls

Welcome to Needle. You're standing right now in a place where history meets the present and where every stone can tell the story of ancient times. Look around you at these remnants of the city walls. Even though these fragments now seem calm and harmonious within the historical core of the city, try to think of them in your mind as part of an impenetrable system that once sealed the whole city. Before your eyes are the remnants of the walls that once formed an impenetrable barrier. Even though they no longer surround the whole city as they did centuries ago, their presence here still gives rise to the sense of security and stability that was so important to the medieval people. Feel this atmosphere of a place that was designed to protect life and property.

Let us now return together deep into the past to understand why and how this fortification was created. This whole story started writing around 1368. At that time, building walls was a prerequisite for the development of every major city. Jevíčko was no exception. The need to have clearly defined boundaries and the ability to repel any attacks has led to the construction of this Gothic fortification. The city wasn't built by chance, but it had a very specific, elliptical plan. This shape choice was not random, but was aimed at effectively encircling the populated area while facilitating defence. The whole system was supplemented by four gates that were strategically deployed in the direction of the world. In this way, the city was to control every move towards its borders and ensure that no one penetrated without control.

Now pay attention to what is right in front of you and what you can see in the area. Notice these remaining parts of the walls. If you move on, you can encounter the most significant fragments that have survived especially in the southwest and northwest parts of the city. It is here that you can best perceive the ancient geometry and strength of medieval construction. And look up now, the city tower that dominates this place. It's a fascinating element that has evolved in many ways. Originally this tower was a prismatic building with a square plan. It was a purely defensive structure, firm and relentless, used to observe the surroundings. However, history is constantly evolving. In 1593, extensive repairs took place in the city, and it was during this period that the tower was increased and its function changed substantially. Instead of a mere defensive tower, it became a bell tower. Imagine the contrast - instead of being silent and vigilant when looking at danger, the tower began to spread a sound that informed the population of time, of important events, or of danger, making it the heart of communication throughout the city.

However, the history of these walls is not only the history of stone and Maltese, but, above all, the history of the people who lived in this city ruled it or cared for its protection. Looking at these remnants, you can imagine the characters whose names have been written down in the history of Yelik. By the time the walls peaked, there were people like Jan Žalkovský ze Žalkovic or Jiří Žalkovský ze Žalkovic. Their presence in the history of the city suggests the importance and political weight that Jevíčko had at the time. Let us not forget about women who have shaped social life like Anežka Bítovská ze Slavíkovic or Eliška Bludovská z Kornic. Even names such as Beneš Moltoš, Jan Čech or Jan Beneš z Moravské Třebové are firmly linked to this region and to the period when these fortifications were built and maintained. Each of these people was part of the living organism of the city, which protected these walls and which they themselves defined.

You might find one interesting thing that shows how much the city has had to change over the centuries to continue to grow and modernize. Even though the walls have been a symbol of security for centuries, over time they have become an obstacle to the expanding city and modern transport. It happened that it had to decide between preserving the past and the need for the future. In 1907, one of the most important moments occurred in the modern history of the city, when the last city gate, the Western one, was demolished, popular as the Upper Gate. Imagine the moment when the city opened up for the first time in centuries to a wider world without this physical barrier. Although some parts of the walls had disappeared, the rest was valued as a great treasure. This is why this city fortification on 3 May 1958 was officially included in the list of cultural monuments, thereby ensuring its protection for future generations.

Now that you have learned more about the origin, the architecture and the people who shaped this place, I suggest you continue your next walk. Take a look at the remnants of the walls in other parts of the historical core of the village and try to build a picture of the entire ellipse circuit, which once surrounded the whole city firmly. Feel every part of this place and let yourself drift through the atmosphere of the historic Star. Thank you for joining us on this short journey through time. We wish you a pleasant further discovery of all the secrets this city offers.