The villages of Brtníky, Kopec, Nové Křečany, Panský and Valdek are administrative parts of Staré Křečany.
Geography
Staré Křečany is located about 27 kilometres (17 mi) northeast of Děčín and 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Ústí nad Labem. It lies in the salient region of Šluknov Hook, briefly bordering Germany in the west.
Staré Křečany lies mostly in the Lusatian Highlands, only the southwestern part of the municipal territory extends into the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The highest point is at 566 m (1,857 ft) above sea level. The Mandau River originates in the municipal territory and then flows through the village of Staré Křečany.
History
The first written mention of Staré Křečany is from 1485 (under the name Starý Ehrenberk). The village was founded by a salt trade route leading from the Baltic to the south. In 1633, Starý Ehrenberk was destroyed by Saxons and Swedes. The village was not restored until 1686.[2]
Until World War II, the village was ethnically mixed Czech-German. After the war, the German population was expelled.[2] In 1946, the municipality and the village were renamed Staré Křečany.[3]
Staré Křečany is located on the railway line Rumburk–Mikulášovice. However, trains run on it only on weekends and holidays during the summer season.
Sights
The main landmark of Staré Křečany is the Church of Saint John of Nepomuk. It was built in the late Baroque style in 1736–1741. In 1795, a large entrance gate with statues of angels and the cemetery wall were added. The Stations of the Cross were established by the cemetery wall in 1822.[6]