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VsetÃn
KNOWLEDGE OF VsetÃn
VsetÃn is a city in ZlÃn Region of the Czech Republic. It has around 28,500 inhabitants.
VsetÃn area called VsetÃnsko is spread out on the foothills of VsetÃnské, Hostýnské and Vizovické Hills around VsetÃn BeÄ?va river. The area features remains of the houses built out of logs and cultural monuments of significant importance mainly in VsetÃn itself.
VsetÃnsko is a native area and place of work of many artists who have rendered beauty in hundreds of graphics and plastics. The tradition of folk culture is kept alive by Wallachian song and dance groups for many decades. Originally a small town, VsetÃn has become an important centre of industrial, economic, cultural and sports life during the last century.
The landscape in valleys surrounding the BeÄ?va river in Moravia-Slovakia border line had not been inhabited for thousands of years in primeval times. Man was discouraged from establishing permanent farm settlements in this region by its hilly relief, deep forest valleys and forceful water streams. Traces of primeval times settlement in VsetÃn surroundings are therefore almost negligible.
The first historic records reporting of VsetÃn originated in documents dated 1297 - 1308 and relate to the very beginning of settlement in this area. While records from 1297 mention VsetÃn region only as an area by the BeÄ?va river, the document dated 1308 clearly describe it. In the aforesaid document a little town named Setteinz is mentioned with a church, a mill and the Freudsberg Castle and moreover, further colonization in the valley around Rokytnice is described. VsetÃn (Setteinz) being owned by Templar Knights at that time was rented by Vok of KravaÅ™e in 1308. The name of Wssetin appeared in documents from 1396 while the first entry of VsetÃn Dominion in Provincial registry was implemented as late as in 1505. VsetÃn was successively in hold of other noble families, mainly of Cimburk (see coat-of-arms in the picture), Saint. Jura and Pezinek, KunÅ¡tát, Å elmberk, followed by nobility of PernÅ¡tejn, and others.
The process of colonization in course of 13th and 14th centuries created the structure of the settlement in the area followed by "clearing" colonization from 16th century leading to extension of farm land at the expense of forests. At the same period, goat dairy-farming spread out from neighbouring Slovakian mountains which was later exchanged by breeding of sheep. Originally, the word Wallachs was used to identify farm servants keeping cattle, even though it has never been a key activity to make a living for farmers living here, yet it contributed in establishment of historic name of our region called Wallachia.
At the first half of 15th century a fortified settlement was built in the centre of today´s Upper Town which was re-built into a castle at the beginning of 17th century. Its high tower dominates the town up to now. In 1609 Albrecht of ValdÅ¡tejn, a well-known Emperor´s commander married a rich widow Lukrecia NekÅ¡ová of Landek and thus became the owner of VsetÃn. He called up Jesuits to VsetÃn dominion and initiated a strict re-catholitization among serfs. Religious suppression was linked with economic one, as well. Resistance of serfs made ValdÅ¡tejn to concessions, among other to issuing of privilege from 1612 which changed duty of statutory labour of VsetÃn serfs into permanent wages. Dissatisfaction of Wallachs, but also betrayal of ValdÅ¡tejn experienced at anti-Habsburk rebellion of Moravian nobility was the key reason for long-term Wallachian rebellions during Thirty Years War. And it was VsetÃn which became their centre. Rebels kept on resisting despite VsetÃn being burned and many people executed in 1627. Since 1642 rebels were fighting shoulder to shoulder of Swedish army, but at the end, they were defeated on 26. January 1644 by the Emperor´s army. Some 200 participants of rebellion were executed in VsetÃn and the above mentioned execution is told to have been one of the most dreadful executions in our nation´s history. VsetÃn and villages in wide surrounding were burned out. Non-Catholic religion was a unifying element of rebels and the importance of the rebellion, aimed at noble objectives of freedom of religious conscience was highly appreciated by Jan Ã?mos Komenský, the Bishop of Unitas Fratrum and the key personality of post-BÃlá hora emigration.
In 1653 VsetÃn became the property of well-known Hungarian noble family, Earls of Illésházy, who owned it almost 180 years and had the most profound impact on its development. During the era of Jan of Illésházy, the orthodox Catholic, Protestants were repeatedly rebelling and the situation resulted in next bloody rebellions and submission of petitions even at the Emperor´s Court, the last time in 1780, when the emperor, Josef IInd, visited VsetÃn. And it was not until Tolerance Patent issued in 1781 when the atmosphere cooled down. Today, baroque statues and crosses in the town and surrounding are reminders of Earl Jan of Illésházy times.
As early as at times of Thirty Years´ War, VsetÃn extended from the original so called Upper Town to the pastures spread out on the left bank of the BeÄ?va river. In 15th century a manor mill was founded here with mill-race equipped with the "lapaÄ?" (a trap) for fishing. Today, a winter stadium called "Na LapaÄ?i" is situated here. Additionally, certain families of refugees from surrounding towns, mainly from ValaÅ¡ské MeziÅ™ÃÄ?Ã, dramatically affected by war, settled in this location. Such newly established settlement called Lower Town was granted a status of autonomous municipality having the municipality magistrate as the only thing in common with existing VsetÃn of that time. The Upper and Lower Towns often argued regarding taxes, land, markets, etc. One of the disputable land in the centre of the town is still called th "Svárov" (Place of Dispute). And it was not until 1849 when the Upper and Lower Towns merged. However, in the meantime the town was devastated by the Turks and Tatars between 1663 - 1683, followed by Hungarian rebels. But the year 1708 was the most dramatic moment as Hungarian rebels called "Kuruci" attacked the town and burned it almost to ashes and there were only burnt walls witnessing the original Castle. It took decades until VsetÃn recovered from that damage.
It was even before the first half of 19th century, when VsetÃn surroundings were influenced by industrial revolution bringing utilization of vast stock of wood of beech and fir forests. Sugar factory, steam saw mill, factory producing matches and glass works founded in 1868 were the first VsetÃn factories. Since the 70th of 19th century VsetÃn has become an important centre of industrial production of bent-wood furniture in the factories of "Jacub and Josef Kohn" and "Thonet Brothers" which belonged to the top world companies of this kind.
In 1909 VsetÃn became a district town and its importance grew in parallel with economic boom. In 1885 the town was linked to inland railway system followed by construction of schools, hospital, town power plant, water mains and other public facilities. It was also merit of T.G.Masaryk, who was a representative of East Moravia towns in the Imperial Council at that time. It was Josef ÄŒernocký, the long-term Mayor of the Town and Michal Urbánek, he well-known architect, who developed the biggest construction effort at the breakthrough of 19th and 20th centuries.
The furniture industry declined during the world economic crisis in the 30th of the 20th century, followed by limitation of production in other industrial companies. That situation resulted in high level of unemployment in the area which was changed as late as in 1937, when a construction of the new factory called Zbrojovka was implemented. However, at that time, VsetÃn was known by production of electric engines produced in Josef SousedÃk factory. During the World War II, mainly due to military production, the number of inhabitants doubled while reaching 14 000 of them. New inhabitants were mainly represented by a numerous group of employees from Zbrojovka who came from Brno. During the war, several resistance groups were successively established, out of which J.SousedÃk one was of the biggest significance. Its members initiated collaboration with Clay group connected with exile government in London and later with the 1st Czechoslovak Partisan Brigade of Jan Žižka which crossed the Moravian border at times of The Slovakian National Uprising. VsetÃn was deliberated on May 4, 1945 by forces of the 1st Czechoslovak Army led by the General Karel Klapálek.
Post-war development of the town was influenced for many years by its fast growth during the war. A considerable shortage of flats, shops, school premises and medical centres was experienced. Orientation on development of heavy industry and military production resulted in closing up of a series of smaller industrial companies, mainly of knife making plant and a plant producing glass pearls used for manufacture of electric cables. In connection with political development after February 1948, private trade successively declined. In summer 1949 Wallachian towns and municipalities organized an important local exhibition called Wallachia at Work. It took exactly 50 years to commemorate that exhibition by organizing a several days event called Valašské zářenà (Wallachian Shining).
The problems connected with growth of the town reflected mainly in the area of construction of housing estates and school system. Massive construction of panel housing estates initiated in 1960 in the neighbouring parts of the town, represented a partial solution of the problem. During 1960 - 1990 the number of inhabitants in the town doubled and at the moment, there are some 31 000 people living in VsetÃn.
VsetÃn area called VsetÃnsko is spread out on the foothills of VsetÃnské, Hostýnské and Vizovické Hills around VsetÃn BeÄ?va river. The area features remains of the houses built out of logs and cultural monuments of significant importance mainly in VsetÃn itself.
VsetÃnsko is a native area and place of work of many artists who have rendered beauty in hundreds of graphics and plastics. The tradition of folk culture is kept alive by Wallachian song and dance groups for many decades. Originally a small town, VsetÃn has become an important centre of industrial, economic, cultural and sports life during the last century.
The landscape in valleys surrounding the BeÄ?va river in Moravia-Slovakia border line had not been inhabited for thousands of years in primeval times. Man was discouraged from establishing permanent farm settlements in this region by its hilly relief, deep forest valleys and forceful water streams. Traces of primeval times settlement in VsetÃn surroundings are therefore almost negligible.
The first historic records reporting of VsetÃn originated in documents dated 1297 - 1308 and relate to the very beginning of settlement in this area. While records from 1297 mention VsetÃn region only as an area by the BeÄ?va river, the document dated 1308 clearly describe it. In the aforesaid document a little town named Setteinz is mentioned with a church, a mill and the Freudsberg Castle and moreover, further colonization in the valley around Rokytnice is described. VsetÃn (Setteinz) being owned by Templar Knights at that time was rented by Vok of KravaÅ™e in 1308. The name of Wssetin appeared in documents from 1396 while the first entry of VsetÃn Dominion in Provincial registry was implemented as late as in 1505. VsetÃn was successively in hold of other noble families, mainly of Cimburk (see coat-of-arms in the picture), Saint. Jura and Pezinek, KunÅ¡tát, Å elmberk, followed by nobility of PernÅ¡tejn, and others.
The process of colonization in course of 13th and 14th centuries created the structure of the settlement in the area followed by "clearing" colonization from 16th century leading to extension of farm land at the expense of forests. At the same period, goat dairy-farming spread out from neighbouring Slovakian mountains which was later exchanged by breeding of sheep. Originally, the word Wallachs was used to identify farm servants keeping cattle, even though it has never been a key activity to make a living for farmers living here, yet it contributed in establishment of historic name of our region called Wallachia.
At the first half of 15th century a fortified settlement was built in the centre of today´s Upper Town which was re-built into a castle at the beginning of 17th century. Its high tower dominates the town up to now. In 1609 Albrecht of ValdÅ¡tejn, a well-known Emperor´s commander married a rich widow Lukrecia NekÅ¡ová of Landek and thus became the owner of VsetÃn. He called up Jesuits to VsetÃn dominion and initiated a strict re-catholitization among serfs. Religious suppression was linked with economic one, as well. Resistance of serfs made ValdÅ¡tejn to concessions, among other to issuing of privilege from 1612 which changed duty of statutory labour of VsetÃn serfs into permanent wages. Dissatisfaction of Wallachs, but also betrayal of ValdÅ¡tejn experienced at anti-Habsburk rebellion of Moravian nobility was the key reason for long-term Wallachian rebellions during Thirty Years War. And it was VsetÃn which became their centre. Rebels kept on resisting despite VsetÃn being burned and many people executed in 1627. Since 1642 rebels were fighting shoulder to shoulder of Swedish army, but at the end, they were defeated on 26. January 1644 by the Emperor´s army. Some 200 participants of rebellion were executed in VsetÃn and the above mentioned execution is told to have been one of the most dreadful executions in our nation´s history. VsetÃn and villages in wide surrounding were burned out. Non-Catholic religion was a unifying element of rebels and the importance of the rebellion, aimed at noble objectives of freedom of religious conscience was highly appreciated by Jan Ã?mos Komenský, the Bishop of Unitas Fratrum and the key personality of post-BÃlá hora emigration.
In 1653 VsetÃn became the property of well-known Hungarian noble family, Earls of Illésházy, who owned it almost 180 years and had the most profound impact on its development. During the era of Jan of Illésházy, the orthodox Catholic, Protestants were repeatedly rebelling and the situation resulted in next bloody rebellions and submission of petitions even at the Emperor´s Court, the last time in 1780, when the emperor, Josef IInd, visited VsetÃn. And it was not until Tolerance Patent issued in 1781 when the atmosphere cooled down. Today, baroque statues and crosses in the town and surrounding are reminders of Earl Jan of Illésházy times.
As early as at times of Thirty Years´ War, VsetÃn extended from the original so called Upper Town to the pastures spread out on the left bank of the BeÄ?va river. In 15th century a manor mill was founded here with mill-race equipped with the "lapaÄ?" (a trap) for fishing. Today, a winter stadium called "Na LapaÄ?i" is situated here. Additionally, certain families of refugees from surrounding towns, mainly from ValaÅ¡ské MeziÅ™ÃÄ?Ã, dramatically affected by war, settled in this location. Such newly established settlement called Lower Town was granted a status of autonomous municipality having the municipality magistrate as the only thing in common with existing VsetÃn of that time. The Upper and Lower Towns often argued regarding taxes, land, markets, etc. One of the disputable land in the centre of the town is still called th "Svárov" (Place of Dispute). And it was not until 1849 when the Upper and Lower Towns merged. However, in the meantime the town was devastated by the Turks and Tatars between 1663 - 1683, followed by Hungarian rebels. But the year 1708 was the most dramatic moment as Hungarian rebels called "Kuruci" attacked the town and burned it almost to ashes and there were only burnt walls witnessing the original Castle. It took decades until VsetÃn recovered from that damage.
It was even before the first half of 19th century, when VsetÃn surroundings were influenced by industrial revolution bringing utilization of vast stock of wood of beech and fir forests. Sugar factory, steam saw mill, factory producing matches and glass works founded in 1868 were the first VsetÃn factories. Since the 70th of 19th century VsetÃn has become an important centre of industrial production of bent-wood furniture in the factories of "Jacub and Josef Kohn" and "Thonet Brothers" which belonged to the top world companies of this kind.
In 1909 VsetÃn became a district town and its importance grew in parallel with economic boom. In 1885 the town was linked to inland railway system followed by construction of schools, hospital, town power plant, water mains and other public facilities. It was also merit of T.G.Masaryk, who was a representative of East Moravia towns in the Imperial Council at that time. It was Josef ÄŒernocký, the long-term Mayor of the Town and Michal Urbánek, he well-known architect, who developed the biggest construction effort at the breakthrough of 19th and 20th centuries.
The furniture industry declined during the world economic crisis in the 30th of the 20th century, followed by limitation of production in other industrial companies. That situation resulted in high level of unemployment in the area which was changed as late as in 1937, when a construction of the new factory called Zbrojovka was implemented. However, at that time, VsetÃn was known by production of electric engines produced in Josef SousedÃk factory. During the World War II, mainly due to military production, the number of inhabitants doubled while reaching 14 000 of them. New inhabitants were mainly represented by a numerous group of employees from Zbrojovka who came from Brno. During the war, several resistance groups were successively established, out of which J.SousedÃk one was of the biggest significance. Its members initiated collaboration with Clay group connected with exile government in London and later with the 1st Czechoslovak Partisan Brigade of Jan Žižka which crossed the Moravian border at times of The Slovakian National Uprising. VsetÃn was deliberated on May 4, 1945 by forces of the 1st Czechoslovak Army led by the General Karel Klapálek.
Post-war development of the town was influenced for many years by its fast growth during the war. A considerable shortage of flats, shops, school premises and medical centres was experienced. Orientation on development of heavy industry and military production resulted in closing up of a series of smaller industrial companies, mainly of knife making plant and a plant producing glass pearls used for manufacture of electric cables. In connection with political development after February 1948, private trade successively declined. In summer 1949 Wallachian towns and municipalities organized an important local exhibition called Wallachia at Work. It took exactly 50 years to commemorate that exhibition by organizing a several days event called Valašské zářenà (Wallachian Shining).
The problems connected with growth of the town reflected mainly in the area of construction of housing estates and school system. Massive construction of panel housing estates initiated in 1960 in the neighbouring parts of the town, represented a partial solution of the problem. During 1960 - 1990 the number of inhabitants in the town doubled and at the moment, there are some 31 000 people living in VsetÃn.
Alfred