Velešín

Velešín
Town
Southern part of the town square
Southern part of the town square
Flag of Velešín
Flag
Coat of arms of Velešín
Coat of arms
Velešín is located in Czech Republic
Velešín
Velešín
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 48°49′46″N 14°27′45″E / 48.82944°N 14.46250°E / 48.82944; 14.46250
Country Czech Republic
RegionSouth Bohemian
DistrictČeský Krumlov
First mentioned1266
Government
 • MayorPetr Vágner
Area
 • Total
13.24 km2 (5.11 sq mi)
Elevation
548 m (1,798 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total
3,866
 • Density290/km2 (760/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
382 32
Websitewww.velesin.cz

Velešín (Czech pronunciation: [ˈvɛlɛʃiːn] ⓘ; German: Weleschin) is a town in Český Krumlov District the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,900 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The villages of Bor, Chodeč, Holkov and Skřidla are administrative parts of Velešín.

Geography

Velešín is located about 10 kilometres (6 mi) east of Český Krumlov and 15 km (9 mi) south of České Budějovice. It lies in the Gratzen Foothills. The highest point is at 573 m (1,880 ft) above sea level. The town is situated on the shore of the Římov Reservoir, built on the Malše 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. During this era, the village was promoted to a market town. 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.[2]

After death of Peter Vok of Rosenberg in 1611, Velešín was inherited by Jan Jiří of Schwamberg, but after the Bohemian Revolt, his properties were confiscated and Velešín was acquired by Charles Bonaventure, Count of Bucquoy. The Bucquoys owned Velešín until 1848.[2]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18691,551—    
18801,546−0.3%
18901,620+4.8%
19001,542−4.8%
19101,452−5.8%
YearPop.±%
19211,495+3.0%
19301,443−3.5%
19501,357−6.0%
19611,842+35.7%
19702,103+14.2%
YearPop.±%
19802,956+40.6%
19913,509+18.7%
20014,027+14.8%
20113,904−3.1%
20213,778−3.2%
Source: Censuses[3][4]

Transport

Town hall (left) and former Church of Saints Philip and James

The I/3 road (part of the European route E55), specifically the section from České Budějovice to the Czech-Austrian border in Dolní Dvořiště, runs through the town.

Sights

Church of Saint Wenceslaus

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.[5]

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.[6]

North of the town there are remnants of the Budweis–Linz Horse-Drawn Railway, including one bridge. An educational trail leads around the remnants.[7]

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ a b "Historie" (in Czech). Město Velešín. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  3. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  4. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  5. ^ "Kostel sv. Václava se hřbitovem" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  6. ^ "Bývalý kostel sv. Filipa a Jakuba" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  7. ^ "Naučná stezka Koněspřežní železnice v okolí města Velešína" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
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