Kolín is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic on the Elbe river.

History

Kolin was founded by king Wenceslas I in the 13th century under the name Colonia nova (New Colony). Between 1475-1488, Hynek z Poděbrad , a Renaissance writer and son of King George of Poděbrady, lived in Kolin Castle.

The Battle of Kolín was fought on June 18, 1757 during the Seven Years' War.

Kolín Today

A new automobile factory by Toyota-Peugeot-Citroën consortium employing 3000 people built with expenses about 1,5 billion EUR will open on the northern edge of the town in spring 2005; its capacity is 300 000 cars a year.

Important inhabitants

• Jakub Krčín z Jelčan , 16th century pond and dam constructer
• Jan Rosacius , 17th century priest and writer
• Karel Leger , 19th century poet
• Otokar Fischer (1883-1938), playwright, translator, poet and critic
• Josef Svatopluk Machar , 20th century writer

External link

• Municipal website
• Link to Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile