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Strakonice (; ) is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 22,000 inhabitants and is located at the confluence of the Volyňka and Otava rivers.
The town's feudal history is closely linked to the Knights Hospitaller. The main landmark of the town is the Strakonice Castle, protected as a national cultural monument. The town has seen rapid industrialisation and urbanisation in the 19th and 20th centuries leading to the loss of many historical buildings and contributing to its modernist appearance. Strakonice is a regional industrial centre, historically known for its engineering and textile industries. It hosts the biennial International Bagpipe Festival.
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.
By 1402, the Knights Hospitaller owned the entire castle, including the town and the surrounding estate. In 1420, the Hussites 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.
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.
Strakonice is also known for its brewery called Dudák – Měšťanský pivovar 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. The beer brewing tradition in Strakonice dates back to 1367 and Burghers' Brewery was founded in 1649.
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.
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.
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.
The Church of the Virgin Mary is a pilgrimage site located in . It was built in 1771–1774, when it replaced a chapel that dated back to 1749.
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Strakonice also has friendly relations with Gmina Rawicz in Poland.
Demographics
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.
Economy
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.
Transport
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.
Culture
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"). The festival has been held since 1967 and is one of the most notable folklore festivals in the world.
Sights
The majority of Strakonice's historic buildings were demolished during the 20th century. The Strakonice Castle is its principal landmark and is protected as a national cultural monument. 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. 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.
Notable people
Twin towns – sister cities
Strakonice is Sister city with:
External links
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