Týnec nad Labem

Týnec nad Labem (Elbeteinitz) is a town in Kolín District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,200 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

Administrative parts
The villages of Lžovice and Vinařice are administrative parts of Týnec nad Labem.

Geography
Týnec nad Labem is located about 11 km east of Kolín and 58 km east of Prague. It lies in the northwestern tip of the Iron Mountains, which passes into the lowlands of the Central Elbe Table and East Elbe Table. The Elbe River flows through the town.

History
The first written mention of Týnec nad Labem is from 1110, when there was a meeting of dukes of the Přemyslid dynasty, described in the Chronica Boemorum. After it changed owners several times, it was acquired by the Cistercian Sedlec Abbey. The monks founded here a monastery, inn and mill. After the Hussite Wars in 1463, Týnec was acquired by Vaněk of Miletínek, who had a fortress built here.

The next significant owner was Vilém II of Pernštejn. During his rule, Týnec was first referred to as a market town. In 1560, it was bought by Maximilian II. In 1600, Týnec was promoted to a royal chamber town by Emperor Rudolf II. The town was valued as an important crossing point across the Elbe.

At the end of the 18th century and in the 19th century, the town became an economic and cultural centre. There were mills, a wool spinning factory, and the only patent leather factory in Austria-Hungary. In 1864, an engineering factory was established. Týnec nad Labem was also the centre of the pearl industry.

Transport
Týnec nad Labem is located on the railway line Kolín–Česká Třebová.

Sights
The main landmark of the town is the Church of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. It was founded around 1306. It was damaged by several fires and rebuilt in the Baroque style. The second church in the town is the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows. It is a ceemetery church dating from 1786.

Other sights include a fortress from the 15th century and Marian column on the town square with a statue of the Virgin Mary from 1786.

Notable people

 * Michael von Melas (1729–1806), field marshal
 * Vilém Heš (1860–1908), operatic bass