České Budějovice

History wherever you turn, regional gastronomy, and excellent Budvar. České Budějovice is the economic, administrative, and cultural metropolis of the South Bohemian Region, located in a picturesque landscape at the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers. The South Bohemian metropolis with ninety thousand inhabitants was founded in 1265 as a royal city by the Czech King Přemysl Otakar II. With the main intention of consolidating his position of power in southern Bohemia. During the Hussite Wars, the later Estates Uprising, and the subsequent Thirty Years' War, the city became a strategically important place due to its strong fortifications. In the 16th Century, the city experienced an unprecedented boom, which was mainly due to local silver mining, beer brewing, fish farming, and a salt shop. The 16th century brought the city unprecedented prosperity and considerable profits flowing into the city coffers, especially from local silver mining, but also from beer brewing, fish farming, and salt trade. The nineteenth century, characterized by its revolutionary technical progress, brought new impetus to the development of trade and industry. The horse-drawn tram, built between 1825 and 1832 as the first on the European continent, connected České Budějovice with Linz in Upper Austria and, together with the Vltava waterway, accelerated the transport of goods. New businesses were established, such as a pencil factory, breweries, a crockery factory, and so on.

The 20th century brought further intensive development and České Budějovice became a real economic and cultural metropolis of southern Bohemia. After 1990, it became a statutory city with its own mayor. Traditional trade and cultural relations with Austria, Germany, and other European countries have been restored. The economic sphere in particular has experienced extensive changes. Major companies based in České Budějovice include Budweiser Budvar and burgher brewery, Robert Bosch, Madeta, Motor Jikov, and Koh-i-Noor. In 1991, the University of South Bohemia with its five faculties was opened in České Budějovice.

Complete information about České Budějovice is available here.

Monuments and historical places in České Budějovice

The historical monuments of the city include Přemysl Otakar II. Square, Samson's Fountain, City Hall, Black Tower, Cathedral of St. Nicholas, and Piarist Square.

Monuments and historical places around České Budějovice

Around the city, we can find the places Hluboká nad Vltavou Castle, the town of Český Krumlov, the monastery in Zlatá Koruna and Vyšší Brod or the village open-air museum Holašovice.