Strakonice

Strakonice consists of eight municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):^[2]

The name Strakonice is derived from the personal name Strakoň, meaning "the village of Strakoň's people".^[3]

Strakonice is located about 51 kilometres (32 mi) northwest of České Budějovice. It lies mostly in the northern tip of the České Budějovice Basin, but the municipal territory also extends to the Blatná Uplands on the north and to the Bohemian Forest Foothills on the south. The highest point is the hill Velká Kakada at 564 m (1,850 ft) above sea level, located in the southern part of Strakonice's territory.

The town is situated at the confluence of the Volyňka and Otava rivers. There are several fishponds in the area, the largest of which are Velkoholský rybník and Blatský rybník. Among the small-scale protected areas in Strakonice are Bažantnice u Pracejovic Nature Reserve and the Tůně u Hajské Nature Monument.

A moated castle on the Otava River was built by the noble family of Bavors of Strakonice at the beginning of the 13th century. The first written mention of the castle is from 1235. The first written mention of the village of Strakonice is from 1243, when the Church of Saint Wenceslaus already existed and the Bavors donated part of the castle and several nearby villages to the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of Saint John. By 1318, Strakonice was already a town.^[5][6]

By 1402, the Knights Hospitaller owned the entire castle, including the town and the surrounding estate.^[6] In 1420, the Hussite commander Jan Žižka occupied Strakonice but failed to capture the castle. Strakonice Castle underwent an extensive reconstruction in the 16th century, becoming a representative residence for the Order's Grand Priors. Subsequent alterations were minor. After the Thirty Years' War, the castle lost its significance.^[5][6]

The town was industrialised during the course of the 19th century. In the 1860s, a railway line connecting České Budějovice and Plzeň via Strakonice was built, which spurred its economic development.^[5]

Strakonice experienced its greatest population growth between 1950 and 1980, when the town's population nearly doubled as a result of further industrialisation, particularly at Česká zbrojovka Strakonice and Fezko. The consolidation of agriculture and rapid urbanisation during the communist era helped make Strakonice one of the fastest growing towns in the region.^[7]

Strakonice is known for fez manufacture that dates back to the 19th century, and it has established itself as a small arms and motorbike manufacturing hub. Along with České Budějovice, Tábor, and Písek, Strakonice is considered one of the main industrial centres of South Bohemia.^[7]

Strakonice is also known for its brewery called Dudák – Měšťanský pivovar Strakonice (lit. 'burghers' brewery Strakonice'), located near the castle. It produces beer under the Strakonický Dudák brand. The brewery is owned by the municipality, making it the last one of its kind in the Czech Republic.^[10] The beer brewing tradition in Strakonice dates back to 1367 and Burghers' Brewery was founded in 1649.^[11]

Two main roads pass through Strakonice: the I/4 road, which connects the D4 motorway with the Czech-German border in Strážný, and the I/22 road in the section from Klatovy to Vodňany.

A nationally important railway line from Brno to Plzeň (via České Budějovice) runs through Strakonice. From Strakonice, railway lines branch off to Beroun, Milevsko, Blatná and Volary.^[12]

Every two years, the town hosts the International Bagpipe Festival. The town's bagpipe tradition goes back to the work of Josef Kajetán Tyl Strakonický dudák ("The Bagpiper of Strakonice").^[13] The festival has been held since 1967 and is one of the most notable folklore festivals in the world.^[14]

The majority of Strakonice's historic buildings were demolished during the 20th century.^[15] The Strakonice Castle is its principal landmark and is protected as a national cultural monument.^[16] Today, it serves as a regional museum and art gallery, featuring exhibitions focusing on motorcycles, small arms, bagpipes, and the traditional fez hat production. The Rumpál Tower serves as a lookout.^[17] The Church of Saint Procopius, which is part of the castle complex, was originally a Romanesque building, later rebuilt in the Baroque style with Rococo elements.^[18]

The Church of Saint Margaret was built in 1580–1583 in the late Gothic style with many Renaissance elements. Baroque modifications were incorporated in 1777. It is one of the town centre's main landmarks.^[19]

The Church of Saint Wenceslaus was originally a medieval Gothic church, founded in the 14th century. It was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1720–1730 and serves as a cemetery church.^[20]

The Church of the Virgin Mary is a pilgrimage site located in Přední Ptákovice [cs]. It was built in 1771–1774, when it replaced a chapel that dated back to 1749.^[21]

• 
  Strakonice Castle
• 
  Rumpál Tower
• 
  Church of Saint Procopius
• 
  Church of Saint Margaret
• 
  Church of Saint Wenceslaus
• 
  Church of the Virgin Mary in Přední Ptákovice

Strakonice is twinned with:^[22]

• Bad Salzungen, Germany
• Calderdale, England, United Kingdom
• Lengnau, Switzerland

Strakonice also has friendly relations with Rawicz in Poland.^[22]