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| Držkov
is situated on a plateau bordered by hills. The highest of these hills,
Černá Studnice, is 2840 feet high. At the end of the village, the
terrain drops down to the wild and romantic valley of the Kamenice, which
is a right tributary of the Jizera.
The first settlers in the region around Držkov were heathen slaves of the tribe Chorvats. From archaeological investigations of graves, we know that in the 10th and 11th century, about 60 people lived in this area. Držkov is situated at an old trade street connecting the town Turnov with the pass Nový Svět. We dont know where the name of our village comes from. The name Držkov probably developed from Držislav, the family name of a blacksmith in the village. We often find this kind of building name in the Jizera Mountains, for example, Karl - Karlov, Max - Maxov, Ferdinand - Ferdinandov. In 1352, our village was called in Dryzkow; in 1369, Drzkow; in 1624, Držkow; in 1654, Zdržkow; in 1720, Trschkow; in 1843, Drschkow; in 1854, Držkov; in 1939, Drschke/Držkov; and since 1945, its name has been Držkov. In the 12th century, Christianity spread. Under the protection of the order Cyriak, a little wooden church and a house for the parish priest were built. Since 1352, the historical evolution has been documented. First, the monk Jarek from Zeleznice was the patron of Držkov and of the neighboring parishes. In the 15th century, Držkov was ruled by Návarov and then by Valdstejnové, Vartenberkové, Hazenburkové and Smirických, a very powerful noble family. After the battle at White Mountain in 1620, Návarov and Držkov were ruled by Albrecht of Valdstejnové and later by the widow of General Lamotte. The widow's granddaughter, Marie Angela of Nunkl, loved the town of Držkov very much. People say the water from the spring Bozí voda (Gods Water) healed her ill eyes. With stones from the destroyed castle Návarov, she built a palace nearby. And in gratitude for the healing of her eyes, she built today's church St. Bartholomäus in 1669. In the 19th century, the church was remodeled and became the most striking building in Držkov. Descendants of the widow Lamotte, members of the family Ehrenburg, continued to be sovereigns of Navarov till the 19th century. Finally, Dr. jur. Vanícek bought the palace and its surrounding grounds. Today it is in the possession of his descendants. Until the 1860s, Držkov was an agricultural village. At this time, the manufacturing process of glass (rings, pearls) developed, and relevant industry moved into the area. The emerging industry included two weaving mills that were built in the second half of the 19th century. The place experienced its highest prosperity in the 1920s and 30s. The number of houses increased from 150 to 210, and the number of inhabitants reached 1000. The village also received electric power. A water pipe supplied running water, and a part of the canalization was built. In spite of the world economic crisis, Držkov reached a high economic and cultural level due to the production of glass jewelry and of glass an artistic character. In the 80s of the 19th century, a boom in progress and culture took place. The sports club SOKOL 1885 was established along with the club for song and theatre, LEV (LION), and the volunteer fire department. After the establishment of an independent state, new Cech religions spread, often after vehement family quarrels. A Cech church named Husuv sbor (Hus Church) was founded. Držkov was famous because of its popular musicians. Many of them earned their income on journeys through all of Europe. In the Protectorate Bohemia and Moravia (1938-1945), Držkov was a village on the frontier. The next town, Plavy, belonged to the German empire. Because of its proximity to the border, Držkov became a refuge for Cechs from Germany. Shortly after the second World War, these refugees returned home. At the same time, some longtime inhabitants moved away and the number of people in Držkov dropped by 50 percent. In the 70s of the 20th century, agriculture experienced a boom due to the creation of larger cooperatives. However, these were liquidated in 1990. Our weave mills gave way to the glass industry. In the center was the production of technical and laboratory glass as well as the production of decorative glass. In regard to its integration into the European Union, Držkov hopes for the continuation of its economic and cultural life. To its inhabitants and guests, Držkov offers swimming, skiing, tourism in summer and winter, picking mushrooms, and white-water rides, as well as connections to popular destinations and beautiful places in the neighborhood. |
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American Version: Helmut Beuthien
Easley SC USA, January 2004 |
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