Bílina

Bílina
Town
Bílina town hall
Flag Coat of arms
Name origin: white water/river
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Ústí nad Labem
District	Teplice
Commune	Bílina
River	Bílina
Elevation	214 m (702 ft)
Coordinates	50°32′53″N 13°46′34″E / 50.54806°N 13.77611°E / 50.54806; 13.77611Coordinates: 50°32′53″N 13°46′34″E / 50.54806°N 13.77611°E / 50.54806; 13.77611
Area	32.39 km2 (12.51 sq mi)
Population	15,714
Density	485/km2 (1,256/sq mi)
Founded	10th century
Mayor	Josef Horáček
Timezone	CET (UTC+1)
- summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	418 01
Location in the Czech Republic
Statistics: statnisprava.cz
Website: www.bilina.cz

Bílina (Czech pronunciation: [ˈbiːlɪna]; German: Bilin) is a town in the Teplice District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It is located on the river Bílina. It is known for its spas and as a source of the strongly mineralized water, Bílinská Kyselka (Biliner Sauerbrunn in German). From 1938 to 1945 it was one of the municipalities in Sudetenland.

The historic town of Bílina lies in the valley of the river Bílina, between the Central Bohemian Massif and the Ore mountains. It is situated between two bigger cities: Teplice and Most.

To the south, the mountain Bořeň, resembles a lying lion.

The name of the town originates from the adjective white (bílý; bielý). The term Bielina symbolizes 'white', without any wood or the flowing river Běla.

The first written mention of the settlement (then a seat of a province) dates back to 993 and comes from the Chronicle of Bohemians, which describes a battle between Bretislaus I and the German emperor Henry III near the town.

Before the half of 13th century Ojíř of Friedberk built a new castle in the settlement, which was expanded into a town with bulwarks and three gates.

In the High Middle Ages German settlers were called into the border area of Bohemia, introducing German city law. Germans formed the vast majority, culture and history until their expulsion in 1945.