ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA | CZECH REPUBLIC |
Zlínský kraj | Zlín region |
Okres: Zlín |
Napajedla is situated at an elevation of 200 m between the Haná, Valašsko and Slovácko regions of southern Moravia in the Zlín district The municipality has a population of about 7,500 (2008).
The earliest written mention of Napajedla is a privilege issued by King Charles IV. Charles IV promoted it to township with the privilege to use wood from the Hříběcí Hory mountains. More privileges were granted to Napajedla by another nine Bohemian Kings and Emperors. By the 16th century, Napajedla was royal property granted to nobles in appreciation of their services. Most outstanding among the noble holders were the Žerotíns whose rule brought about expansion. But most sights date back to the Rotál Family who ruled over the estates for 156 years. The Earls of Stockau introduced industry to Napajedla: a prosperous sugar factory and a beer brewery. In 1886, the tradition of breeding purebred English horses began. The stud-farm is the oldest in Central Europe. In 1898 Napajedla obtained the official status of a town. The town then gradually evolved to an administrative, social and economic centre of regional importance. [Text adapted from http://www.bohemianet.com/zlinsky/napajedla/napajedla_en.htm]
Napajedla castle [centre] with its gardens and the