From top: Ottokar II Square, city swimming stadium, Cathedral of St. Nicholas, Máj centre, IGY shopping centre, Faculty of Arts of the University of South Bohemia, regional hospital
The name Budějovice is derived from personal Slavic name Budivoj, meaning "the village of Budivoj's people". The name first appeared asBudoywicz, then it appeared in various similar forms. The German name was created by transcribing and shortening the Czech name. When the royal city was founded in 1265, the name appeared asBudwoyz and then it was adapted toBudweis. The nameBudvicium was used in Latin. After theHussite revolution in the first half of the 15th century, the nameČeské Budějovice ("Bohemian Budějovice") appeared to distinguish it fromMoravské Budějovice ("Moravian Budějovice").[3]
České Budějovice is located about 120 kilometres (75 mi) south ofPrague. It lies in theČeské Budějovice Basin, only a small eastern part of the municipal territory extends into theTřeboň Basin. The city is spread mostly across a plain making it nearly flat in the inner parts with hillier areas in the eastern suburbs. The highest point, located in the city's exclave, is at 560 m (1,840 ft) above sea level. The main part of the municipal territory does not exceed 452 m (1,483 ft).
České Budějovice is situated in the valley of theVltava River, at its confluence with theMalše. A set of large fishponds is located in the northwestern part of the municipal territory. The largest pond is Novohaklovský rybník with an area of 47.2 hectares (117 acres).[4] Several of the ponds lies within thenature reserve of Vrbenské rybníky.[5]
České Budějovice has a cooler and wet inland version of ahumid continental climate (Köppen:Dfb;Trewartha:Dcbo) with an average annual temperature of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F). There are four seasons, with a murky dry winter between early December and early March, a sunny and wetter spring between half of March up to half of May changing to a rainy and warm summer during late May and early September when a dry autumn lasting to late November begins. There are between 1,550 and 1,800 hours of sunshine in most years. The extreme temperature throughout the year ranged fromc. −40 °C (−40 °F) on 11 February 1929[a] to 37.8 °C (100.0 °F) on 27 July 1983.[7]
Climate data for České Budějovice, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1883–present
^On this day, a temperature of −42.2 °C (−44.0 °F) was measured in the neighbouring municipality ofLitvínovice, which is the lowest temperature in the history of measurements in the territory of the present-day Czech Republic.[6] Historical value from Litvínovice is given in theCzech Hydrometeorological Institute's data for České Budějovice.
The first written mention of Budějovice is from 1251, when it was only a village.[3] The royal city was founded on its site by KingOttokar II in 1265. The siting and planning of the city was carried out by the king'sknight Hirzo. The city was fortified and had three gates. It immediately became the political and economic capital of south Bohemia. The city quickly became rich thanks to the development of trade and crafts and thanks to silver mining in the nearby area.[11] The German-speaking settlers were coming from theBohemian Forest andUpper Austria.[12]
In 1341, KingJohn of Bohemia allowedJewish families to reside within the city walls. The firstsynagogue was built in 1380. At the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, the Jewish community had about 100 inhabitants. In 1505–1506, apogrom occurred and the Jews were expelled from the city.[13] During the 16th century, the number of German craftsmen in the city increased. In the 18th century, Germans became the majority.[14]
The city's fortifications were able to resist theHussites during theHussite Wars, but the city's development was disrupted by theThirty Years' War and an extensive fire in 1641, during which two-thirds of the city was destroyed. Reconstructions in the Baroque style, which took place in the following decades, changed the architectural character of the city. In 1785,Pope Pius VI founded theDiocese of České Budějovice and the Church of Saint Nicholas was promoted to acathedral.[11][15]
From 1848 untilWorld War II, there was again a Jewish community here, which in 1925 numbered over 1,400 people.[13] The city remained a German-speakingenclave until 1880, after whichCzechs became the majority. Until the end of World War II, the city contained a significant German minority (about 15.5% in 1930). The ratios between the Germans and the Czechs were in 1880: 11,829 Germans to 11,812 Czechs, in 1890: 11,642 to 16,585, in 1900: 15,436 to 23,427, in 1910: 16,903 to 27,309 and in 1921: 7,415 to 35,800.[18] The reason for the change in the ratio was the high increase in the city's population, mainly caused by newly immigrated Czechs. The share of Germans fell below the legal limit of 20% and thus the Czech language became the only official language.[14]
České Budějovice is the economic centre of the entire South Bohemian Region and the seat of many large corporations. The largest employers with its headquarters in České Budějovice and at least 1,000 employees are:[24]
Since its foundation in the 13th century, České Budějovice has been well known for brewing. In 1351, they obtained the so-called "mile right" from the king, i.e. that no pubs outside the city can be located within a radius of 10 km, and from 1410, not even breweries.[25] For a time, the town was the imperial brewery for theHoly Roman Emperor, andBudweiser Bier (i.e. beer from Budweis) became,[26] along withPilsner fromPlzeň, one of the best-knownlagers. Brewing remains a major industry.
The largest brewery, founded in 1895, isBudweiser Budvar, which has legal rights to market its beer under the "Budweiser" brand name in much of Europe. The same product is also sold elsewhere under the names "Budvar" and "Czechvar" due tolegal disagreements withAnheuser-Busch over the Budweiser brand and Anheuser-Busch sells its beer as "Bud" in most of the European Union. TheAmerican lager was originally brewed as an imitation of the famous Bohemian original, but over time has developed its own identity and attained remarkable commercial success. Anheuser-Busch has made offers to buy out the Czech brewing company in order to secure global rights to the name "Budweiser", but the Czech government has refused all such offers, regarding the Czech Budweiser name as a matter of national pride.
The oldest operating and second largest brewery, founded in 1795, was renamed to "Pivovar Samson", replacing its original German name "Budweiser Bürgerbräu" during thecommunist period. It also exported, mostly under the "Samson" and "Crystal" labels. Recently, they reacquired naming rights for Budweiser for Europe while offering "B. B. Bürgerbräu" in the US since 2005.
TheEuropean route E55 (the section from Prague to the Czech-Austrian border atDolní Dvořiště) passes through České Budějovice. The section from Prague to České Budějovice is formed by theD3 motorway. The section from České Budějovice to the Czech-Austrian border is formed by the I/3 road. The second notable road connection is the I/20 road (part of theEuropean route E49), which connects České Budějovice withPlzeň andKarlovy Vary.
Direct international railways were built via České Budějovice by the Czech-Austrian companiesEmperor Franz Joseph Railway in 1868 andEmpress Elisabeth Railway in 1871, connectingVienna with Plzeň and Prague withZürich, viaLinz andSalzburg. Today, the most important lines in operation are Prague–České Budějovice, České Budějovice–Linz and Plzeň–Jihlava. The city is served by four train stations. The main station is namedČeské Budějovice; other stations in the city are České Budějovice severní zastávka, České Budějovice jižní zastávka and Nové Hodějovice.[27]
Public domestic and internationalČeské Budějovice Airport is located 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) southwest from České Budějovice, in the territory of the municipalities ofPlaná andHomole.
Intra-city transport is provided by buses andtrolleybuses. Buses provide 16 lines (including 3 electric buses) and trolleybuses provide 7 lines. The transport company is owned by the city.[28]
The most important annual event in the city is the Země Živitelka ('Earth the Breadwinner') exhibition. It is focused on agriculture and food industry. It takes place in the Výstaviště České Budějovice area, which is the largest area for holding exhibitions, cultural and social events in the city.[29] Země Živitelka has been held regularly since 1973 and followed up on the exhibitions held here in 1960 and 1970.[30]
České Budějovice is the site of many sports facilities and national stadiums, including the footballStadion Střelecký ostrov, the ice-hockeyBudvar Arena and the Athletic Stadium Sokol. The Swimming Stadium České Budějovice features a 50-metre indoor pool, a diving pool, saunas, an outdoor swimming pool and a children's pool. After the modernization in 1998 a covered water slide was added and after the modernization in 2017 a new whirlpool.
Motorcycle speedway was a prominent sport in the city from 18 September 1956 until 1 July 1973. The speedway stadium on the Dlouhá louka, off Na Sádkách, opened in September 1955 and had a capacity of 30,000 spectators.[32] The track was a 485 metre (530 yard) oval and a team representing the city participated in the inauguralCzechoslovak Team Speedway Championship in 1956.[33]
Among the main landmarks of the city and most visited tourist destinations is theBlack Tower (Černá věž). It was built in 1550–1577 as a guarding tower and a bell tower. It is 72 m (236 ft) high and 225 wooden steps lead to the top. The tower is equipped by six bells.[35]
The Iron Maiden Tower and the Rabenštejn Tower are a 14th-century former prisons and two of the few remains of the Old Town's Gothic fortifications. Today the first one houses a pub and the second one houses an exhibition of armour and historical weapons.[36][37] In 1872, the Gothic town walls were demolished.[38]
In the middle of the square isSamson Fountain. It is a Baroque fountain built in 1721–1727, which is the largest fountain in the Czech Republic with a diameter of 17 m (56 ft). Originally, it was not only decorative, but also served to supply the city with water from the Vltava river.[41] Next to the fountain is the so-called Lost Rock, the only remnant of the original pavement.
The City Hall is the most distinctive house on the square. It was originally a Renaissance house from the mid-16th century, completely rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1727–1730 according to the design ofAnton Erhard Martinelli. The façade with three towers is decorated with four allegorical sculptures. On the highest tower there is a carillon from 1995. The City Hall still serves its purpose today, but it also offers guided tours.[42]
Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (rear)
TheDominican monastery with theChurch of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary are the oldest monuments in the historic centre of České Budějovice. The monastery was founded in 1265 together with the city. The originally Gothic buildings were rebuilt in the Baroque style. The monastery was abolished in 1785. In 1865, the church was modified in the neo-Gothic style.[43]
The formerCapuchin monastery was founded in 1614. The Church of Saint Anne was built in the early Baroque style in 1615–1621. The monastery was abolished in 1804 and its building was rebuilt in the Neoclassical style in 1843–1844. In the 1980s, the church was changed into a concert hall.[44]
The Church of Saint Nicholas is a three-nave basilica, located near the main city square. It was founded in 1265. After the fire in 1641, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. In 1785, the church was promoted to acathedral.[45]
The Church of the Holy Family was built in the neo-Gothic style in 1886–1887. It has a valuableBeuron Art School decoration of the interior.[46]
The Church of Saints John the Baptist and Procopius was founded in the first half of the 13th century, in the original village before the foundation of the royal city. It was expanded and modified many times; its present appearance is the result of regotization in 1872. Next to the church is the oldest cemetery in České Budějovice with many valuable tombstones.[47]
The Museum of South Bohemia was founded in 1870 and opened to the public in 1877 in a house next to the city hall. The current museum was built in the Neo-Renaissance style in 1899–1901 and opened in 1903. The museum has four permanent exhibitions: archaeological, natural science, geological and ethnographic.[48]
The Museum of the Horse Drawn Railway is a branch of the Museum of South Bohemia. It is located in a former guardhouse at the point where theBudweis–Linz Horse-Drawn Railway started. The house, as well as all the preserved sections of the horse-drawn railway, is protected as anational cultural monument.[16]
^ab"Muzeum koněspřežky" (in Czech). Museum of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. Retrieved28 June 2023.
^"Průmysl".Encyklopedie Českých Budějovic (in Czech). NEBE. Retrieved7 June 2024.
^King, Jeremy (2018).Budweisers into Czechs and Germans: A Local History of Bohemian Politics, 1848–1948. Princeton University Press.ISBN978-0-691-18638-2.
