Svitavy : Czech Republic

Svitavy (German: Zwittau) is a town in the Czech Republic, in Pardubice Region.
History
The city was founded around half of 12th century when monks set up church and nearby village. At half of 13th century German speaking colonists were moved into the area. Since 1256 Svitavy was owned by bishops from Olomouc. During Thirty Years War the city was devastated. Later it grew textile industry. In 1781 it was burned down by accident. In 1866 cease-fire between Prussia and Austria was arranged here. Since beginning of 20th century the city saw tensions between Czech and German speaking people. Germans were expelled after World War II.
Svitavy Today
Svitavy is center of subregion with cca 31,000 inhabitants. Majority of industry is textile and engineering.
Famous People
Valentin Oswald Ottendorfer (born in 1826 – 1900), anarchist, entepreneur, philantrophist
Prof. ing. Dr. Viktor Felber (born in 1880 – 1942), professor of engineering, in 1930-31 head of Czech Technical University
Alexander Makowsky (born 1833 – 1908), geologist
Oskar Schindler (born 1908 – 1974), of the movie fame
Cities in Svitavy miniregion
Moravská TÅ™ebová, PoliÄ?ka, LitomyÅ¡l.