Hluk () is a town in Uherské Hradià ¡tàDistrict in the ZlÃÂn Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 4,300 inhabitants.
The name of Hluk is very likely derived from Latin word hlucium (, ). It probably got its name from the noisy flowing water of the Okluky Stream.
Hluk is located about southeast of Uherské Hradià ¡tàand south of ZlÃÂn. It lies in the Vizovice Highlands. The highest point is at above sea level. The Okluky Stream flows through the town.
In the municipal territory are the nature reserve KobylÃÂ hlava and the nature monuments Okluky and Pod HusÃÂ horou.
The first written mention of Hluk is from 1294. However, the first mention of the wider region called Lucké pole Province is from the 11th century. A wooden fortress in Hluk is first documented in 1303.
There are two significant industrial producers in Hluk. Hanon Systems Autopal company operates a factory for refrigeration and air conditioning components for the automotive industry.
Niob is a company focused on the development, design and manufacture of equipment for the food industry. Since its founding in 1992, it acts as a technical base of the parent company Inotec GmbH.
Hluk lies in the cultural region of Moravian Slovakia. The town is known for its folklore festival Ride of the Kings which is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. It is held every three years, on the first weekend in July. This folk tradition commemorates historic event, when King Matthias Corvinus fled through Hluk in female disguise after losing the battle.
At present, there is a tradition maintained style when through the town is decorated with ribbons and decorated horses transported the little boy in the women national costumes of Hluk, accompanied by costumed lads. The parade is accompanied by hundreds of costumed citizens of the town, surrounding municipalities, foreign and domestic ensembles.
The Ride of the Kings is also linked to an annual brass band festival and a folklore festival.
The Hluk Fortress is the landmark of the town. Today it houses the tourist information centre, a library, a ceremonial hall, and spaces for cultural and social events.
In the RajÃÂovna street, there are historic houses protected as cultural monuments. They are built of unfired bricks, with walls covered with screed of barley chaff, clay and water, repainted with lime. Their roofs of burnt tiles used to be thatched. The houses contain period furniture and fittings.
The parish Church of Saint Lawrence was built in the Baroque style in 1735âÂÂ1741.
Hluk is twinned with: