The Middle Ages, the thirteenth century. It is this era that the Czech town called Kolín reminds us of. The real symbol of Gothic culture here is the Church of St. Bartholomew. Not only citizens but also tourists from all over the world marvel at the variety of spectacular buildings in the old baroque style. Even the Colin Cathedral belongs to this unique architectural style. Every year the city traditionally hosts a festival of national music, which pleases residents and guests of the city.
The valley of the Elbe River – it is in this picturesque place that the city of Colin stands. The very first Slavic peoples have lived here since the sixth century AD. However, at that time there was no city – only a small settlement was formed in this place. From the ninth to the twelfth century, the area was actively settled. The construction of the city took place under the colonial scheme.
Already in the 15th century the town of Kolín became a true epicenter of prosperity and wealth in Bohemia. The king granted it all sorts of privileges. But the Thirty Years’ War swallowed up all the success, leaving poverty and ruin. After the fighting, it took a long time for the inhabitants to rebuild their hometown. Colin was saved by its advantageous location at the crossroads of trade routes. It gradually became one of the most economically prosperous Czech towns again.
Handicrafts, trade and industry actively developed in Kolín at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The railroad line appeared in Kolín. The center of Kolín was decorated by huge Charles Square with numerous Gothic buildings and an ancient reservoir. Nowadays Kolín is a major administrative center with a developed chemical industry and mechanical engineering. There are also a lot of printing companies, which have been successfully operating for several years.
Interestingly, there has always been a Jewish community in Colin. In the fifteenth century, the Jews had a special influence in this area. Tourists often visit the ancient Jewish cemetery, which was founded at the end of the fifteenth century. In 1942, a huge number of Jews were deported from the city. Few of them survived the onslaught of the Nazis. The knowledge and cultural values accumulated over the centuries were irretrievably lost. The town of Kolín is a privileged area of the Czech Republic. It has a fairly high standard of living and well-developed infrastructure.
