Mining Towns and Villages
Bukovany
The first written mention of the village from Buckwa dates in 1304. In 1525, the village consisted of several courts. The main source of income was agriculture and hop growing. Cultivated was a special reddish hop variety, with the quality comparable to famous Žatec (Saaz) hops. In the vicinity of Bukovany, the iron ore was mined, which was supplied to the ironworks in the Krušné hory Mts. In the 18th century, the production of stoneware jars for mineral water is mentioned. Four coal mines existed around the village in the year 1826. Independent community Bukovany (Bukwa) exist since 1879, together with the settlements Kytlice (Kittlitzdorf), Zaječí Dvůr (Haselhof) and Dvory (Meierhöfen). In the vitriol plant at the road to Citice, sulphuric acid was produced.
The surroundings of Bukovany in the 19th century
The coal mining began in the mid 19th century. During the World War I, 498 miners held hungry demonstration in Bukovany. 2nd World War II, existed in the village two prison and labour camps. After the war, old buildings gave way to coal mining, and old villages Bukovany, Kytlice and Dvory were demolished. About 1.3 km southwest of the ancient Bukovany, a new settlement with 500 housing units was built in 1963. Around this new centre grow up family houses gradually. At the present time, a project of revitalization of the landscape affected by coal mining is realized. Extensive recreation area westward of Sokolov with the centre of Lake Medard is created there. This activity can be seen from the viewpoint on the northern edge of the village.
The Medard Lookout © Village Bukovany
The mining tradition commemorates coat of arms. In Bukovany lives an important person, Ing. Jaroslav Jiskra, regional historian and writer concerned with mining theme.
Municipal Coat of Arms
