Ledenice is a market town in České Budějovice District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,500 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The villages of Ohrazení, Ohrazeníčko, Růžov, Zaliny and Zborov are administrative parts of Ledenice.

Etymology

The oldest record of the name was ''Leděnice''. The name was derived from the personal name Leděn, meaning "the village of Leděn's people".

Geography

Ledenice is located about southeast of České Budějovice. It lies mostly in the Třeboň Basin, only a small part of the municipal territory in the south extends into the Gratzen Foothills. The highest point is at above sea level. The area is rich in small fishponds, supplied by several brooks.

History

The first written mention of Ledenice is from 1278, when it was owned by the Lords of Krumlov (a branch of the house of

Vítkovci The Vítkovci ( la, Witikonides) were a Czech noble clan from southern Bohemia descended from Witiko of Prčice. The clan includes the House of Rosenberg The House of Rosenberg ( cs, Rožmberkové, sg. ''z Rožmberka'') was a prominent Bo ...

). After they died out, Ledenice became the property of the Lords of Landštejn (another branch of Vítkovci). In 1398, during their rule, Ledenice was promoted to a market town. In the 15th century, Ledenice was acquired by the Rosenberg family. In 1611, after the death of the last Rosenberg, the market town became the property of the Schwamberg family. From 1660 until the establishment of an independent municipality in 1849, it was owned by the

Schwarzenberg family The House of Schwarzenberg is a German (Franconian) and Czech ( Bohemian) aristocratic family, and it was one of the most prominent European noble houses. The Schwarzenbergs are members of the German nobility and Czech nobility and they held the ...

. The greatest growth of Ledenice occurred in the second half of the 19th century.

Demographics

Transport

A railway runs through the municipal territory, but there is no train station. The market town is served by the station in neighbouring Borovany.

Sights

The main landmark of Ledenice is the Church of Saint Lawrence. Originally an early Gothic building from the end of the 13th century, it was rebuilt several times. In 1782, the tower was added.

Notable people

* Josef Stejskal (1897–1942), theatre director *

Vlastimil Hajšman Vlastimil Hajšman (26 February 1928 in Ledenice, Czechoslovakia – 3 March 1978 in České Budějovice, Czechoslovakia) was a Czechoslovakian ice hockey player who competed in the 1952 Winter Olympics The 1952 Winter Olympics, officially known ...

(1928–1978), ice hockey player

References

External links

* {{authority control Populated places in České Budějovice District Market towns in the Czech Republic