Neuměřice

Tucked away in the heart of the Czech Republic lies the quaint village of Neuměřice. It’s a place where time seems to slow down, a world away from the bustling city of Prague. Neuměřice first appeared in historical records in 1158. The name itself has sparked much debate. While some believe it’s derived from the ruler Neuměr, most historians think Neuměřice was a place of “newly measured” lands. The village has a rich history, evident in the archaeological finds scattered throughout the area. These include ancient pottery, animal bones, clay prisms, and even a prehistoric burial site. These discoveries hint at a vibrant community that thrived here centuries ago. In Neuměřice, the Chapel of the Virgin Mary of Svatá Hora and St. Ludmila stands as a testament to the village’s enduring faith. Built between 1798 and 1800, the chapel has undergone several renovations. In 1991, its windows, doors, and facade were repaired, and the interior was repainted. A new bell, gifted by a local resident, was consecrated in 2007, replacing the original 1876 bell. In 2015, a new statue of the Virgin Mary of Svatá Hora was blessed. The chapel itself underwent another renovation in 2016. Over the centuries, Neuměřice has seen its share of owners. Around 850 years ago, the Premonstratensian monastery in Doksany held property here. Later, the Knights of St. John acquired part of the village. King Sigismund seized Neuměřice in 1436 and granted it to Václav Carda of Petrovice. The village then passed to Zikmund Stříbrný of Horoměřice and then to Zikmund Barš of Kamenice. By 1534, Neuměřice came under the control of the royal chamber, which sold it to Jindřich Zejdlic of Šenfeld, connecting it to the Zvoleněves estate. Neuměřice became part of the Mikovice estate in 1597 and later the property of Sezima of Vrtba in 1641. It returned to the Zvoleněves estate in 1669 under Duke Julius Francis of Saxe-Lauenburg, and his daughter, Anna Maria Franziska of Tuscany, later inherited the estate. Emperor Ferdinand V the Good became the owner of Neuměřice in 1847, followed by his nephew, Emperor and King Joseph I. The discovery of coal in the late 18th century led to mining in Neuměřice. A visible reminder of this is the “Barborka” mine shaft, a relic of the Kounov seam mined between 1830 and 1840. Fruit growing, particularly apples, pears, and plums, also flourished, leading to the construction of a drying facility in the village. Dried fruit was then transported to Lobě and shipped to Germany. Neuměřice remained primarily an agricultural village despite these developments. The arrival of Prussian troops in the summer of 1866 marked a significant event. They were reportedly friendly, paid for their requisitions, and showed a keen interest in local red and yellow clay. The construction of the Kralupy-Zvoleněves railway line between 1882 and 1885, later extended to Vinařice, was linked to the growing coal industry in the Kladno region. A ground-level building with an apartment, a warehouse, and a siding were built alongside the railway line.