Poděbrady


Poděbrady is a historical spa town in the Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic. It lies on the river Labe east of Prague on the D11 highway. It obtained the status of town from the king of Bohemia in 1472. A historic milestone in the life of the town was the year 1905, when it was visited by the German estate owner Prince von Bülow. This well-known water diviner found in the inner courtyard of the castle signs of a strong spring, which was later bored to a depth of. The discovery of carbonic mineral water resulted in the opening of the first spa in 1908. After World War I Poděbrady rapidly changed into a spa town which from 1926 specialized in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, rapidly gaining renown not only in the Czech Republic, but also abroad in countries including Austria, Germany, Russia and the United States.
The history of Poděbrady reaches back to medieval times. A long-distance trade route running from Prague to eastern Bohemia and then on to Silesia and Poland passed through the then-forested landscape interwoven with a dense network of river branches. This important communication intersected the River Labe to the west of the present town, at a place called Na Vinici.
An ancient community and a small fortress originated near the ford. It is most likely that the position of this community is reflected in the present name of the town: Poděbrady - "pode brody" = below the ford.

Points of interest

In Poděbrady attractions include lakes for swimming, a riding school and tennis courts.
The town acquired its emblem in 1472 from the sons of King George of Poděbrady. His description reads as follows: In a gold shield, a silver block wall, culminating with nine red-covered shades. In the middle of the wall, a gate with a black hole, a gold gate, and a golden grille, topped with silver spikes. Behind the wall stands a silver round tower with two oblong windows above it, a cornice in the middle, with a battlement of four shadows on its top, and a pointed red roof with a poppy. Behind the tower, as if standing on the wall, black-and-red eagle with golden armor, red tongue and silver crescent over breasts and wings. On the wall above the gate is a silver label with three black stripes in the upper half. The label is a sign of the Lords of Kunštát, ie Jiří of Poděbrady, an eagle and his descendants, the princes of Münsterberk.
The city flag was approved by the Decree of the Ministry of the Interior No. B-8117-25 / 11-47-II / 3 dated August 20, 1948. The aspect ratio is 2:3.

Territorial inclusion

The history of territorial integration includes the period from 1850 to the present. The chronological overview shows the territorial administrative jurisdiction of the municipality in the year when the change occurred:
Poděbrady is twinned with: