Dolní Cerekev

Dolní Cerekev (Unter Zerekwe) is a market town in Jihlava District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,200 inhabitants.

Administrative parts
The villages of Nový Svět and Spělov are administrative parts of Dolní Cerekev.

Etymology
The name Cerekev is derived from cierkev, which is an old Czech term for a wooden church. The attribute dolní ('lower') was added to distinguish it from Horní Cerekev ("Upper Cerekev").

Geography
Dolní Cerekev is located about 10 km southwest of Jihlava. It lies on the border between the Křemešník Highlands and Křižanov Highlands. The highest point is at 603 m above sea level. The Jihlava River flows through the market town.

History
The first written mention of Dolní Cerekev is from 1352. In 1451, the village was acquired by the Leskovec family. They had built here a fortress, which was first documented in 1552. From 1623 to 1918, Dolní Cerekev was owned by archbishopric of Prague.

Transport
Dolní Cerekev is located on the main railway lines Brno–Plzeň and Jihlava–Tábor.

Sights
The main landmark of Dolní Cerekev is the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene. It is a Neoclassical building with an early Gothic core from the 13th century and with a late Gothic tower.