Hlinka (Bruntál District)

Hlinka (German: Glemkau) is a village and municipality in Bruntál District in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic.

Hlinka
Municipality and village
Flag Coat of arms
Hlinka Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°16′48″N 17°40′20″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Moravian-Silesian Region
District	Bruntál District
Government
• Mayor	Marcel Chovančák
Area
• Total	8.77 km^2 (3.39 sq mi)
Elevation	254 m (833 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	233
• Density	27/km^2 (69/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)

Hlinka village lies in the northern part of Osoblažsko region aside from the main roads. It was founded in 1267 in connection with the German colonization of the region. German colonizers took over their Slavic ancestors‘ name of the village „Glynik“ and so the village got the German name „Glemkau“. The Slavic name is derived from clay which was mined here since Slavic times. Currently, there are 236 inhabitants living in the village.

There is a small Church of St. Valentine to be found on the village square dated back to 1813. Very impressive is the Memorial to the fallen in World War I to be found behind the village along the road from Hlinka to Dívčí Hrad. The memorial is presented as a knight (probably Roland The Knight from German legends) and the statue lost its head due to vandalism in recent years. Together with scars from World War II which the knight received during battles in Osoblažsko region the statue was given an impressive appearance which is unique especially in the sunset.

In Hlinka district near the village of Slezské Pavlovice Velký Pavlovický rybník (The great pond) Natural Reserve is situated. This natural reserve was created to protect the unique habitat as this pond serves as a stopping place for birds during its spring and autumn migrations. During this time you may see many protected birds there such as the blue winged teal, bittern, water crake, snipe and great reed – warbler and during the summer time also many protected wetland and aquatic animals.

A part of Hlinka village is a local place called Rylovka which lied on the important historical path of Leobschütz (today's Polish Glubczyce) – Osoblaha – Neustadt (Prudnik). After the war the road lost its significance mainly due to harsh socialist system and the German population transfer. In 2009 the road between Rylovka and Polish Krzyzkowice was rebuilt and as a result there is an opportunity for every tourist to visit the 12 km distant Polish city of Prudnik on foot or by bicycle. Prudnik city has its own historical centre being dominated by the „Vok Tower“ which is a remnant of a brick castle built by Rožmberks.