Velešín (; ) is a town in

Český Krumlov District Český Krumlov District () is a Okres, district in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. Its capital is the town of Český Krumlov. Administrative division Český Krumlov District is divided into two Districts of the Czech Republic#M ...

the

South Bohemian Region The South Bohemian Region () is an administrative unit (''Regions of the Czech Republic, kraj'') of the Czech Republic, located mostly in the southern part of its historical land of Bohemia, with a small part in southwestern Moravia. The western ...

of the

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...

. It has about 3,900 inhabitants.

Administrative division

Velešín consists of five municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census): *Velešín (3,605) *Bor (27) *Chodeč (59) *Holkov (52) *Skřidla (35)

Geography

Velešín is located about east of

Český Krumlov Český Krumlov (; , ''Böhmisch Krumau'') is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 13,000 inhabitants. It is known as a tourist centre, which is among the most visited places in the country. The historic centre ...

and south of

České Budějovice České Budějovice (; ) is a city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 97,000 inhabitants. The city is located in the valley of the Vltava River, at its confluence with the Malše. České Budějovice is the largest ...

. It lies in the Gratzen Foothills. The highest point is at above sea level. The town is situated on the shore of the

Římov Reservoir Římov Reservoir () is a reservoir in České Budějovice District České Budějovice District () is a Okres, district in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. Its capital is the city of České Budějovice. Administrative division � ...

, built on the

Malše The Malše () is a river in the Czech Republic and Austria, a right tributary of the Vltava River. It flows through Upper Austria and the South Bohemian Region. It is long. Etymology The name is derived from the personal name Malch. The land thro ...

River.

History

The first written mention of Velešín is from 1266, when the local castle was documented. The castle and the settlement were probably founded in the 13th century. From 1387 until 1611, Velešín was a property of the

Rosenberg family The House of Rosenberg ( or ''Páni z Rožmberka'') was a prominent Bohemian noble family that played an important role in Czech medieval history from the 13th century until 1611. Members of this family held posts at the Prague royal (and ...

. During this era, the village was promoted to a

market town A market town is a settlement most common in Europe that obtained by custom or royal charter, in the Middle Ages, a market right, which allowed it to host a regular market; this distinguished it from a village or city. In Britain, small rura ...

. The originally separate estate was merged with the Nové Hrady estate, and the importance of the castle declined. In the 1480s, the castle was abandoned, and gradually fell into disrepair. After death of

Peter Vok of Rosenberg Peter Vok of Rosenberg (; 1 October 1539 – 6 November 1611) was a nobleman of the House of Rosenberg, descended from the Vítkovci. Rožmberk was a leading Protestant in the unsettled years before Battle of White Mountain. Life Peter Vok was ...

in 1611, Velešín was inherited by Jan Jiří of Schwamberg, but after the

Bohemian Revolt The Bohemian Revolt (; ; 1618–1620) was an uprising of the Kingdom of Bohemia, Bohemian Estates of the realm, estates against the rule of the Habsburg dynasty that began the Thirty Years' War. It was caused by both religious and power dispu ...

, his properties were confiscated and Velešín was acquired by Charles Bonaventure, Count of Bucquoy. The Bucquoys owned Velešín until 1848.

Demographics

Transport

The I/3 road (part of the

European route E55 European route E55 is an E-route. It starts in southern Sweden, crosses the Øresund strait to Denmark, and passes through more water (the western Baltic Sea) to reach continental Europe on Rostock, Germany. Thence it continues further southwar ...

), specifically the section from České Budějovice to the Czech-Austrian border in

Dolní Dvořiště Dolní Dvořiště () is a municipality and village in Český Krumlov District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,400 inhabitants. Administrative division Dolní Dvořiště consists of eight municipal parts (in b ...

, runs through the town.

Sights

Among the main landmarks of the town is the Church of Saint Wenceslaus. It was built in the Gothic style in the mid-13th century. Significant Baroque modifications were made in 1751–1754. The former Church of Saints Philip and James was built at the end of the 15th century and abolished in 1785. Today there is a museum and apartments in its premises. It is a unique example of the use of an abandoned church building. North of the town there are remnants of the Budweis–Linz Horse-Drawn Railway, including one bridge. An educational trail leads around the remnants.

Notable people

Franciszek Krajowski Franciszek Krajowski (; 30 September 1861 in Velešín – 22 November 1932 in Brest) was a Czech-Polish military officer and a General of the Polish Army The Land Forces () are the Army, land forces of the Polish Armed Forces. They currentl ...

(1861–1932), military officer

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Velesin Cities and towns in the Czech Republic Populated places in Český Krumlov District