Kunvald (German: Kunewalde, Kunwald) is a market town in Ústí nad Orlicí District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 900 inhabitants. It is known as the place where the Moravian Church was founded.

Administrative parts

The villages of Bubnov, Končiny, Kunačice, Záhory and Zaječiny are administrative parts of Kunvald.

Etymology

The German name Kunwald means "Kun's forest". The Czech name is a transcription of the German one.

Geography

Kunvald is located about 18 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of Ústí nad Orlicí and 52 km (32 mi) east of Pardubice. It lies in the Orlické Foothills. The highest point of the municipal territory is the Homole hill at 653 m (2,142 ft) above sea level. The brook Horský potok flows through the market town.

History

The first written mention of Kunvald is from 1363. It was founded in the second half of the 13th century.

The Moravian Church was founded in Kunvald in "Na Sboru" House in 1457, when followers of the reformator Gregory the Patriarch found refuge on the estate of King George of Poděbrady.

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 2,308 —     1880 2,327 +0.8% 1890 2,319 −0.3% 1900 2,091 −9.8% 1910 2,009 −3.9%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 1,849 −8.0% 1930 1,744 −5.7% 1950 1,215 −30.3% 1961 1,188 −2.2% 1970 1,094 −7.9%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 1,013 −7.4% 1991 1,027 +1.4% 2001 1,015 −1.2% 2011 967 −4.7% 2021 890 −8.0%
Source: Censuses

Transport

There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipality.

Sights

"Na Sboru" House is open to the public and contains an exposition on the history of the Moravian Church (Unity of the Brethren). Other memorable places, reminiscent of the work of the Moravian Church, are the Brethren Linden, which was planted here by members before leaving their homeland; a place called Jordán, where there used to be a well where the new members were baptized; a praying mine where the brothers hid and gathered for worship in times of oppression; a monument to John Amos Comenius from 1910, which stands in the original burial ground; and a smithy, from which the first bishop of the Unity allegedly came.

Notable people

• Jan Černý-Nigranus (c. 1500–1565), historian and priest
• Matthias of Kunwald (died 1500), priest

Twin towns – sister cities

Kunvald is twinned with:

• Lititz, United States