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České Budějovice

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▸Introduction387 chars

České Budějovice (also known as Budweis in German and English) is in South Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. The town has since grown into the metropolitan centre. It is the largest town in South Bohemia region and it has approximately 96,000 inhabitants.

The picturesque village of Holašovice, 16 km west of České Budějovice, has a well-preserved folk Baroque centre and is a UNESCO site.

▸Understand1,400 chars

This South Bohemian metropolis was founded in 1265 by the Czech King Přemysl Otakar II on the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers. The Square of Přemysl Otakar II is 133 m by 137 m, and is one of the largest squares in Bohemia. It has arcades and a range of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque burgher's houses. The other important town monuments include the Town Hall, the Samson's fountain and the 72-metre-high Black Tower which provides a beautiful view of the town and surroundings.

The town is an excellent place to visit if you want to escape the large numbers of tourists in Prague or nearby Český Krumlov. Its well-developed transport links make it the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding region. There are many historic towns and villages nearby, numerous hiking trails, and a vast cycle path network. The most famous cycle path is No. 12 which connects České Budějovice and Hluboká nad Vltavou.

1 České Budějovice Tourist Information Center (Turistické informační centrum) (at the Square of Přemysl Otakar II, inside the Town hall), ☏ +420 386 801 413. Provides promotion and presentation materials, a map and plan of the town České Budějovice and its environs. Tourist and topographic information, a calendar of cultural and social events. Sale of tourist literature, maps, souvenirs and Cbsystem tickets. It provides guide and accommodation services. (updated Nov 2021)

▸Get in363 chars

České Budějovice a nice place to stay: its good connections with the surrounding region make it an excellent place from which to explore South Bohemia. The buses and trains run on time and are cheap and relatively easy to understand. The bus station is on the roof of Mercury Centrum and tickets are bought on the bus. Train tickets can be bought before boarding.

▸By bus900 chars

1 Main Bus Station. (updated Jul 2023)

Buses leave frequently from "Na Knížecí" and "Roztyly" bus stations in Prague to here. The trip takes approximately 2–3 hours. There is also the Yellow Bus line offered by Student Agency, which takes 2 hr 20 min for a similar price. The bus junction in České Budějovice is at the "Mercury Centrum", a two-storey shopping mall with the bus station on the roof, just outside the city center. It is just across the street from the train station. For rates and schedules, visit the official transport website IDOS.

Shuttle bus transfer Budweis-shuttle operate comfortable daily bus service between České Budějovice and the following cities: Prague (1½ hr, 1,000 Kč): From Austria: Salzburg (3 hr, 1,100 Kč), Vienna (3 hr, 1,100 Kč), Linz (1½ hr, 450 Kč), Hallstatt (2½ hr, 1100 Kč). From other countries: Munich, Germany (4 hr, 1,600 Kč), and Bratislava, Slovakia.

▸By train1,047 chars

2 České Budějovice Train Station. (updated Jul 2023)

From Prague, train is probably better than bus, as it is often more comfortable, faster, sometimes even cheaper and goes from centre to centre. Trains connect from Prague to here at least once every hour. The trip from Prague takes 1½-2 hr. Standard fare sold at the ticket office is 285 Kč for single person, but it is often much cheaper when bought in advance or online.

There are three types of train: rychlík (R), express (Ex) and pendolino (IC), R is the slowest (tour takes 2 hr.), Ex is faster (around 1¾ hr). and IC is the fastest and most modern train type that started operating on the railway in summer 2025 after extensive renovations of the railway line, travel with it takes 1½ hr. All of the train types are the same price. Other useful destinations reachable by direct train are Český Krumlov, Jindřichův Hradec, Tábor, Brno, Třebíč, Plzeň and Linz in Austria (connections to Salzburg, Vienna and other cities in Austria). Timetables and tickets at the Czech Railways website.

▸By car576 chars

The road from Prague is not very good, the Southern-Bohemian part of it is a new dual carriage highway (D3), but most of the Central-Bohemian part is a heavily congested two-lane road. Avoid travelling on this road on Friday and Sunday evenings. You have to pay for parking in the wider centre of the city, with the amount depending on the part of the city. There are parking machines on the street - you have to enter your license plate number when buying a parking ticket. There is an P+R parking available with a bus stop frequently serviced by the city's public transport.

▸By plane184 chars

3 Airport České Budějovice. There is a small airport to the southwest of the city with only two arrivals and departures per day, mostly from Mediterranean countries. (updated Sep 2025)

▸On foot174 chars

The historical centre of the city is completely walkable, but it is also possible to walk from the more distant parts of the city, even though it is likely to take more time.

▸By bicycle323 chars

The city is somewhat bicycle-friendly with many bicycle paths. You can rent the bike at the railway station or some hotel if you want it for a long term, but if you want it just for trips across the city, it is probably better to use bike-sharing app Rekola. The best maps for cycling are OsmAnd or Mapy.cz in outdoor mode.

▸By bus1,222 chars

There is an extensive network of public buses and trolleybuses that run quite frequently during the day. The cheapest ticket costs 30 Kč and is valid for one hour. You can also buy a 24-hour ticket for 115 Kč or even a 168-hour ticket for 300 Kč. Children aged 6–17 are entitled for a reduced-price tickets. The full price list can be found on the public transport service's website.

There are ticket machines on the stops, allowing you to buy paper tickets for coins or (some machines only) by a payment card. A more convenient way to pay for the ride is by using the payment terminals present in all buses (and trolleybuses) – you pick a ticket type on a touch screen and then hold your payment card against it. The terminal will not give you a ticket, but if a ticket inspector inspects you, they'll just load your card into the system and see, that you have a ticket active.

Ticket inspectors are common, so it is better to have a valid a ticket. You have to validate your ticket in the bus. People aged 70 and over travel for free, so do children under 6. For timetable, you can use the public transport service's website, their mobile phone app or IDOS, if you want to find a route on the map, use OsmAnd or Mapy.cz.

▸By taxi121 chars

The world-wide app Taxify is working in České Budějovice. The biggest legacy taxi company is Taxi Budějovice, 0042014014.

▸By car117 chars

Common traffic jams and difficult parking zones make getting around by car a poor means of transport across the city.

▸See2,015 chars

1 Přemysl Otakar II Square (Naměstí Přemysla Otakara II). The immense square in the middle of the town. Historical landmarks here include St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Black Tower, Samson's Fountain and the distinct yellow-coloured Včela Palace.In the middle of the square there is one of the symbol of the town, the Baroque Samson’s Fountain. It was created in the years 1721-1726 by Zachariáš Horn and the statues were created by Josef Dietrich. On the top is a statue of the biblical hero Samson.The Erratic Boulder is not far from the Samson’s fountain, marked with a cross. It used to have an execution scaffold, and legend says that anybody who crosses the Erratic Boulder after 22:00 will not find his way home and will wander the city until the morning.

2 The Town Hall. The building with three towers was built in the Renaissance style in 1555. Today it is an elegant Baroque building from 1727-1730 built by A.E. Martinelli. It is decorated by Dietrich’s statues allegories of Justice, Courage, Wisdom and Caution and symbols of the Town and Bohemia.

3 St. Nicholas Cathedral. Built as a Gothic building in the 13th century. However, it burned down in the 17th century and today’s appearance is Baroque. There are three statues at the frontage: St. Wenceslas, St. Nicholas and St. Auratian. The interior of the church is very simple. The most important part is the main altar from the 18th century.

4 the Black Tower (Next to the cathedral), ☏ +420 386 352 508. 1 April–31 October. The main dominant of České Budějovice, a 72-m-high renaissance tower that was completed in 1577 and there are six bells in the tower, the largest of which is called Bumerin.

5 The Remains of the fortification (on the embankment of the Malše river). The Iron Maiden and Rabenštejnská Tower, parts of the old fortifications and the last remaining part of the fortifications of the middle-age Budějovice. The Iron Maiden dating back to the 14th century. It is named after the instrument of torture, which was located inside.

▸Do2,297 chars

1 Pivovar Budějovický Budvar (brewery Budvar), Karolíny Světlé 512, ☏ +420 387 705 347, exkurse@budvar.cz. 09:00-17:00 (reservations required). Karoliny Světlé 4. Take a tour of the town's largest brewery and home of "Budweiser" brand beer sold in most of Europe. Make sure to call several days in advance to schedule a tour, or if that's not possible, tours for visitors without reservations take place each day at 14:00. Visitors aged 18 or over are also able to visit the beer-tasting cellar. This is not the same as the "Budweiser" beer sold in the United States and Canada; due to trademark disputes over the name with US-based Anheuser-Busch, this is sold in the Americas under the "Budvar" or "Czechvar" name. Adults 180 Kč, students and children 90 Kč. (updated Apr 2022)

2 Museum of the Horse-drawn Railway, Mánesova 10 (outside the historical centre, to the south of it in the Mánesova street), ☏ +420 386 354 820, muzeumcb@muzeumcb.cz. May to September, Tu-Su. The museum is in the horse railway station. It is the first railway station in continental Europe. 30 Kč. (updated Nov 2021)

3 The South Bohemian Museum, Dukelská 242, ☏ +420 391 001 531. Tu-Su 9:00-17:30. It has a rich collection relating to the history and nature of South Bohemia. Natural history collections of primeval South Bohemia, history of the Middle Ages, and arts of the 17th and 18th century. Adults 90 Kč, family 200 Kč. (updated Apr 2022)

4 Alš South-Bohemian Gallery, Zámek 142, ☏ +420 387 967 041, office@ajg.cz. Mar-Oct: 09:00-18:00; Nov-Feb: 09:00-16:00. It belongs to the five largest institutions of its kind in the Czech Republic. A permanent exhibition South Bohemian Gothic paintings on wood and sculpture 13–16th century. Flemish and Dutch paintings of the 17th century. Part of the exhibits are housed in Wortner House in České Budějovice. (updated Nov 2021)

5 Zoo Ohrada (Zoo Hluboká), Ohrada 417, ☏ +420 724 846 142. It is located near Hluboká nad Vltavou and České Budějovice, which is the capital of the region, lies 8 km away. The zoo can be reached very easily by train, bus or car and it is open daily all year. Adults 150 Kč. (updated Nov 2021)

6 DiscGolf at Stromovka Park, Na Zlaté stoce 692/1, ☏ +420 606 924 282. Like golf (with 18 holes), but you play with a frisbee. (updated Nov 2021)

▸Events943 chars

Múzy na vodě, traditional festival which can be seen at the confluence of the Vltava and Malše Rivers, every year at the beginning July.

Bread Basket (original name Země Živitelka), international agricultural fair. One of the most popular agricultural fairs in Czechia. The Bread Basket offers: renewal and rural development technology, plant and animal production, agricultural technology, food production, forestry and water system, gardening and breeding, services for agriculture, other.

Ema Destinnová – musical festival is a series of concerts of classical music taking place during August and September. The festival is organised in the centre of town and in churches, theatres.

Traditional Christmas Markets take over the main square from the beginning of period Advent. There are free concerts and performances, warming foods and traditional crafts ranging from blacksmith-work to the finest beeswax and honey products and a lot more.

▸Buy849 chars

1 Naměstí Přemysla Otakara II. Wander around the large old town square and surrounding streets to find many specialised stores (i.e. butcher, produce, tea & spices, fabric and so on). (updated Nov 2021)

2 Lannova Tr. A pedestrianised street leading from the train station to the old town. Has various shops along its length, including a Billa supermarket and department store. (updated Nov 2021)

3 Mercury Centrum (Dvořákova and Žižkova tř.). A two-storey shopping mall that shares space with the town's main bus terminal. (updated Nov 2021)

4 IGY Centrum, Pražská tř. 1247/24, ☏ +420 389 015 015. 09:00-21:00. A shopping mall which also contains a pool and fitness centre (includes gym, squash, solarium, sauna, etc.) that is about 20 min by foot from the train station and is next to the Hotel Clarion Congress České Budějovice. (updated Nov 2021)

▸Cafés681 chars

1 Vypečený okno, Hroznová 10, ☏ +420 777 734 317. M-F 07:00-18:00. Meaning "a little bakery in a window", you can buy various baked goods here. Be sure to try the Zelňák (cabbage pita). (updated Nov 2021)

2 Praži Café, Na Mlýnské stoce 282/11, ☏ +420 607 078 485. M-Sa 07:00-22:00, Su 08:00-20:00. Espresso bar with interior and patio. (updated Nov 2021)

3 Plachý Café, Plachého 59/4. M-F 08:00-17:00. A coffee shop with an interesting name. It means "shy coffee" in Czech. (updated Nov 2021)

4 Kavarna VLNNA, Sokolský ostrov 1, ☏ +420 608 001 181. A cafe right by the river. You can rent a paddleboat at the cafe to paddle in the two rivers in České Budějovice. (updated Nov 2021)

▸Restaurants1,045 chars

5 Masné krámy (Butcher’s Market), Krajinská 13, ☏ +420 387 201 301. Famous local restaurant, formerly a butcher’s market. It was founded in 1364. It is your best chance to try the traditional food of region. (updated Apr 2022)

6 Budvarka, Karla IV. 3. a really nice little beer hall just off the main town square. It is owned by Budvar and has four of their beers on draft. The food includes lots of traditional Czech dishes and is cheap and very nice. (updated Apr 2022)

Vendetta. An excellent value bar/restaurant on the main square and very nice freshly made pizzas.

Restaurace Karla IV., Karla IV. 4. A stylish Czech restaurant with large choice and the interior is decorated with Middle Ages legends.

Green House, Biskupská 3. Healthy bio cuisine including vegetarian dishes, vegetable salads and soups.

Bar Lanovka, Lannova třída 2. There is a climbing wall and popular healthy restaurant.

7 Soupculture, Karla IV. 92, ☏ +420 725 745 714. A soup restaurant where you can eat the edible soup container afterwards. (updated Nov 2021)

▸Desserts166 chars

8 ZMRZ.LI, Hradební 14, ☏ +420 734 839 477. 11:00-18:00 seasonally. Meaning "they froze", this ice cream shop has many flavours of scoop ice cream. (updated Nov 2021)

▸Drink509 chars

Knock back a pitcher of Budweiser beer, as this is after all, its hometown (see also Pivovar Budějovický Budvar above). The best option to experience this is to visit one of the pubs operated by the brewery itself as there you can find the widest selection of beers including any specials. Masné krámy and Malý Pivovar are located in the old city centre near the main square. Pick one of these without doubt, the other choice: Budvarka pub is in the brewery complex, further from the city centre to the north.

▸Pubs769 chars

Singer, Česká 55 (in the old town). Irish-style pub. The name is derived from old school Singer sewing machines on the tables inside.

Potrefená husa, Česká 66. A branch of another Czech brewery Staropramen franchise pubs. Select the place on the roof top terrace during the hot summer days to sip the beer or cocktail while look over the river Malse to Stromovka recreational park.

1 HochŠpalíček, Vltavské nábř. 688/3, ☏ +420 602 753 333. 08:00-22:00. Bar with a terrace that overlooks the bridge and the Vltava river. (updated Nov 2021)

2 Solnice, Piaristické nám. 3, ☏ +420 777 357 120. A restaurant with its own brewery. (updated Nov 2021)

In the main square Přemysla Otakara II. There are a lot of pubs and visitors from which can choose, e.g., B26, and Fantom.

▸Cafés1,682 chars

You can get free Wi-Fi internet connection in almost all places listed below as one of the local ISPs provides the internet connection almost everywhere.

Kotva, Lidická 211. Café sharing the building with a small cinema.

Cafe au chat noir, áměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 21. Small cafe right on the main square near with awesome views on what's happening on the square as it is on the first floor (don't give up and walk through the stores on the ground floor to the stairs if you want to enter).

Cafe Placidus, Na Mlýnské stoce 11. odern café with Davidoff coffee and wide selection of cakes and other desserts.

Manon, Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 11. Café on the west side of the main square with highly decorated interior purely in black & white tones. Good coffee, views of the square, but a bit lack of atmosphere.

Café Plaza, Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 7. "New kid on the block" right next to the city hall. One of the pluses here are particularly quite late opening hours every day.

Café la Storia, Panská 26. Café in one of the oldest buildings in the city near city walls. In the hot summer day don't sit outside, but try to find your chair inside in small yard between the buildings where you can avoid the sun and where the temperature stays always comfortable. Take one of the Lavazza coffee magazines to learn something new.

Café Ionia, Plachého 16. Small place with a bar, two tables outside during the summer and less frequent coffee brand which also gives a name to this place.

Rolo and Café. If you want cake then head here! There is one opposite the train station, another on the main square and another just off the main square on the way to Tesco.

▸Clubs448 chars

Modrý dveře, Biskupská 1. Trendy styled pub/restaurant with occasional live jazz music.

Velbloud, U Tří lvů 4. Small alternative music club near city centre. The program contains mainly rock, punk & alternative, but it is regularly mixed with other modern styles.

Horká vana, Česká 7. Café and club in modern space. It organizes regular performances every month.

SUD, Hroznová 8. Small theatre which is very popular among university students.

▸Budget193 chars

1 Hotel U Nádraží, Dvořákova 161/14 (Near main bus station), ☏ +420 734 200 826, recepce@hotelcb.cz. Check-out: 10:00. Hostel. Single room at 750 Kč, double room at 1,150 Kč. (updated May 2022)

▸Mid-range and splurge501 chars

2 Hotel U Solné Brány, Radniční 11, ☏ +420 386354121, hotel@hotelusolnebrany.cz. 1,000–2,290 Kč. (updated Apr 2017)

3 Hotel Budweis, Mlýnská 6, ☏ +420 389 822 111, info@hotelbudweis.cz. This hotel has 60 rooms (including one suite), very near the Vltava River. 2,100–3,900 Kč. (updated Apr 2017)

4 Grand Hotel Zvon, Nám. Přemysla Otakara II. 90/28, ☏ +420 381 601 601, ghz@hotel-zvon.cz. Offers a range of rooms, including family rooms and triple rooms. Rooms from around 1,100 Kč. (updated Apr 2017)

▸Go next1,906 chars

Český Krumlov – A UNESCO World Heritage landmark and an extremely popular tourist destination. Buses to Český Krumlov leave every half hour or so from the main bus station at Mercury Centrum and takes about 30 minutes (45 Kč). Train is usually slower (45 minutes) and more expensive (78 Kč).

Hluboka nad Vltavou – A nearby village with large 'Windsor-style' castle up on the hill and an old church. Follow the cycle path 12 along the Vltava River north of the city (about 10 km) and it will bring you right into Hluboka.

Holašovice – A small rural village which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List for being the best preserved traditional Central European village. Its square is lined with unique houses decorated in the 'Folk Baroque' style. There is also a small pond and chapel. Two of the buildings house pubs and there is also a Tourist information office.

Kleť – This is the highest point in the nearby region and offers relaxed forest walking, cycling and 360° panoramic view of South Bohemia from the top. It also has an observatory on top. To get there take the train from main station to Holubov village, from where you will see the mountain. The train goes from the main station and you need to be in the end carriage to be able to get off at Holubov. On the way back visiting the ruins of gothic Divci Kamen castle is a few kilometers short trip in the area below the mountain (see Go Next section of Český Krumlov).

Telč – A UNESCO World Heritage, small but extremely charming city. Around 1¾ hours and 210 Kč by local bus.

Třebon – A picturesque town with a castle, the Regent brewery, fish lakes and a lovely town square. There are also various walking and cycling paths. It takes about 45 minutes on the bus from Mercury Centrum through some lovely scenery.

Zlata Koruna – This beautifully-restored monastery is set in a stand of ancient oaks. The bus to Český Krumlov stops here.

Facts

Rank

—

Coordinates

48.97, 14.47

Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage

Media

From Wikipedia3,420 words

WBP editorial3

A walk beyond the historic centre

Most visitors focus on the square and cathedral, but the city's outskirts conceal a network of river-side promenades that reveal a different rhythm. Follow the Vltava northwards to the quiet district of Trnovany, where former fish ponds have been turned into community gardens and pop‑up art spaces. The area’s modest cafés serve craft brews sourced from the local micro‑brewery, offering a taste contrast to the large commercial lager. In the summer, locals gather for open‑air jazz sessions on the Malše banks, a tradition that stems from the city's long association with water‑borne trade routes. These stretches provide a glimpse of how České Budějovice balances its medieval heritage with a subtle, contemporary civic life.

Seasonal rhythms for the keen explorer

Plan your itinerary around the agricultural calendar of South Bohemia. In early September, the surrounding countryside hosts the annual harvest fair, where farmers from the Vltava valley display heirloom varieties of hops and barley that feed the city’s breweries. The fair includes workshops on traditional malting techniques, an unexpected deep‑dive for enthusiasts of brewing culture. Conversely, late February brings a quiet scene: the river freezes enough for local residents to practice ice skating on the Vltava’s slower bends, a pastime rarely advertised but cherished by those who call the city home. Timing a visit with these seasonal customs adds layers to the standard city tour.

Beyond Budweiser: the city's emerging culinary scene

While the Budweiser name dominates global perception, the city’s kitchens are quietly evolving. A handful of restaurateurs have opened venues that reinterpret South Bohemian fare using locally foraged mushrooms, river trout, and the region’s prized cranberry orchards. One such spot, tucked behind the Faculty of Arts, offers a tasting menu that pairs each course with a small sample of experimental ales brewed on site—distinct from the mass‑produced lager. Food‑focused walking tours now include visits to these venues, allowing travelers to trace the lineage from historic market stalls to modern gastronomic concepts without leaving the city’s compact centre.

Introduction

City in the Czech Republic Not to be confused with Moravské Budějovice. Statutory city in South Bohemian, Czech RepublicČeské BudějoviceStatutory cityFrom top: Přemysl Otakar II. Square, city swimming stadium, Cathedral of St. Nicholas, Máj centre, IGY shopping centre, Faculty of Arts of the University of South Bohemia, regional hospital FlagCoat of armsWordmarkČeské BudějoviceLocation in the Czech RepublicCoordinates: 48°58′29″N 14°28′29″E / 48.97472°N 14.47472°E / 48.97472; 14.47472Country Czech RepublicRegionSouth BohemianDistrictČeské BudějoviceFirst mentioned1251Government • MayorDagmar Škodová ParmováArea • Total55.71 km2 (21.51 sq mi)Elevation381 m (1,250 ft)Population (2026-01-01) • Total97,128 • Density1,743/km2 (4,516/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postal code370 01Websitewww.c-budejovice.cz/en České Budějovice (Czech: [ˈtʃɛskɛː ˈbuɟɛjovɪtsɛ] ⓘ; German: Budweis) 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 city in the region and its political and commercial capital, the seat of the Diocese of České Budějovice and the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. The city is known for its long tradition of beer brewing, especially in the Budweiser Budvar Brewery. České Budějovice is an important transport junction. The historic city centre is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument reservation. The Přemysl Otakar II. Square is one of the largest city squares in the country. Among the main landmarks of České Budějovice are the Black Tower, City Hall, Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and Dominican Monastery.

Administrative division

[edit] České Budějovice consists of seven municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census): České Budějovice 1 (3,024) České Budějovice 2 (36,041) České Budějovice 3 (25,568) České Budějovice 4 (1,999) České Budějovice 5 (8,171) České Budějovice 6 (8,839) České Budějovice 7 (12,022) České Budějovice 5 forms an exclave of the municipal territory.

Etymology

[edit] The name Budějovice is derived from personal Slavic name Budivoj, meaning "the village of Budivoj's people". The name first appeared as Budoywicz, then it appeared in various similar forms. The German name was created by transcribing and shortening the Czech name. When the royal city was founded in 1265, the name appeared as Budwoyz and then it was adapted to Budweis. The name Budvicium was used in Latin. After the Hussite revolution in the first half of the 15th century, the name České Budějovice ('Bohemian Budějovice') appeared to distinguish it from Moravské Budějovice ('Moravian Budějovice').

Geography

[edit] České Budějovice is located about 120 kilometres (75 mi) south of Prague. It lies in the České Budějovice Basin, only a small eastern part of the municipal territory extends into the Třeboň Basin. The city is spread mostly across a plain making it nearly flat in the inner parts with hillier areas in the eastern suburbs. The highest point, located in the city's exclave, is at 560 m (1,840 ft) above sea level. The main part of the municipal territory does not exceed 452 m (1,483 ft). České Budějovice is situated in the valley of the Vltava River, at its confluence with the Malše. A set of large fishponds is located in the northwestern part of the municipal territory. The largest pond is Novohaklovský rybník with an area of 47.2 hectares (117 acres). Several of the ponds lies within the nature reserve of Vrbenské rybníky. Climate[edit] České Budějovice has a cooler and wet inland version of a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb; Trewartha: Dcbo) with an average annual temperature of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F). There are four seasons, with a murky dry winter between early December and early March, a sunny and wetter spring between half of March up to half of May changing to a rainy and warm summer during late May and early September when a dry autumn lasting to late November begins. There are between 1,550 and 1,800 hours of sunshine in most years. The extreme temperature throughout the year ranged from c. −40 °C (−40 °F) on 11 February 1929 to 37.8 °C (100.0 °F) on 27 July 1983. Climate data for České Budějovice, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1883–present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 19.4(66.9) 20.2(68.4) 24.8(76.6) 29.9(85.8) 34.2(93.6) 36.1(97.0) 37.8(100.0) 37.1(98.8) 34.5(94.1) 30.3(86.5) 22.7(72.9) 18.3(64.9) 37.8(100.0) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 3.3(37.9) 5.3(41.5) 9.9(49.8) 15.7(60.3) 20.3(68.5) 23.8(74.8) 26.0(78.8) 25.8(78.4) 20.1(68.2) 14.2(57.6) 7.8(46.0) 4.0(39.2) 14.7(58.5) Daily mean °C (°F) −0.3(31.5) 0.8(33.4) 4.5(40.1) 9.4(48.9) 14.0(57.2) 17.6(63.7) 19.2(66.6) 18.7(65.7) 13.7(56.7) 8.8(47.8) 4.1(39.4) 0.6(33.1) 9.3(48.7) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −3.5(25.7) −3.2(26.2) 0.0(32.0) 3.5(38.3) 7.9(46.2) 11.5(52.7) 13.2(55.8) 12.9(55.2) 9.0(48.2) 5.1(41.2) 1.3(34.3) −2.3(27.9) 4.6(40.3) Record low °C (°F) −33.0(−27.4) −42.2(−44.0) −28.8(−19.8) −12.3(9.9) −4.5(23.9) −0.8(30.6) 3.0(37.4) 2.8(37.0) −3.0(26.6) −10.0(14.0) −16.0(3.2) −29.6(−21.3) −42.2(−44.0) Average precipitation mm (inches) 29.3(1.15) 23.2(0.91) 38.9(1.53) 37.9(1.49) 74.3(2.93) 102.0(4.02) 95.0(3.74) 92.2(3.63) 57.9(2.28) 43.0(1.69) 36.9(1.45) 28.7(1.13) 659.3(25.96) Average snowfall cm (inches) 16.1(6.3) 11.5(4.5) 7.1(2.8) 1.3(0.5) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.4(0.2) 5.2(2.0) 9.7(3.8) 51.4(20.2) Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 7.3 5.7 8.5 7.1 10.7 10.3 10.8 9.2 8.0 7.5 7.9 6.9 100.1 Average relative humidity (%) 80.0 75.5 71.3 66.2 67.7 68.5 68.4 70.8 77.1 80.4 83.5 81.8 74.3 Mean monthly sunshine hours 58.4 87.1 132.5 187.7 208.6 224.9 232.8 227.2 160.9 113.6 59.2 53.3 1,746.4 Source 1: NOAA Source 2: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute ^ On this day, a temperature of −42.2 °C (−44.0 °F) was measured in the neighbouring municipality of Litvínovice, which is the lowest temperature in the history of measurements in the territory of the present-day Czech Republic. Historical value from Litvínovice is given in the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute's data for České Budějovice.

History

[edit] 13th–18th centuries[edit] Aerial view of the historic centre The first written mention of Budějovice is from 1251, when it was only a village. The royal city was founded on its site by King Ottokar II in 1265. The siting and planning of the city was carried out by the king's knight Hirzo. The city was fortified and had three gates. It immediately became the political and economic capital of south Bohemia. The city quickly became rich thanks to the development of trade and crafts and thanks to silver mining in the nearby area. The German-speaking settlers were coming from the Bohemian Forest and Upper Austria. In 1341, King John of Bohemia allowed Jewish families to reside within the city walls. The first synagogue was built in 1380. At the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, the Jewish community had about 100 inhabitants. In 1505–1506, a pogrom occurred and the Jews were expelled from the city. During the 16th century, the number of German craftsmen in the city increased. In the 18th century, Germans became the majority. The city's fortifications were able to resist the Hussites during the Hussite Wars, but the city's development was disrupted by the Thirty Years' War and an extensive fire in 1641, during which two-thirds of the city was destroyed. Reconstructions in the Baroque style, which took place in the following decades, changed the architectural character of the city. In 1785, Pope Pius VI founded the Diocese of České Budějovice and the Church of Saint Nicholas was promoted to a cathedral. 19th–20th centuries[edit] Trams on Radeckého Street (now Žižkova Street), c. 1909 Language map of Bohemia based on 1900 census, showing that the city was a German-speaking island In the 19th century, the city was industrialized. During his time, České Budějovice became a major trade hub. The Budweis–Linz Horse-Drawn Railway was built in 1825–1832 and became the second oldest public line in continental Europe (after the Saint-Étienne-Andrézieux line in France). The production of Koh-i-Noor Hardtmuth pencils was relocated from Vienna to České Budějovice in 1847. Aside from Hardtmuth brothers, Adalbert Lanna the Elder belonged among the city's most prominent industrialists of the 19th century. In 1895, Český akciový pivovar (later known as Budweiser Budvar Brewery) was founded. From 1848 until World War II, there was again a Jewish community here, which in 1925 numbered over 1,400 people. The city remained a predominantly German-speaking enclave until 1880, after which Czechs became the majority again. Until the end of World War II, the city contained a significant German minority (about 15.5% in 1930). The ratios between the Germans and the Czechs were in 1880: 11,829 Germans to 11,812 Czechs, in 1890: 11,642 to 16,585, in 1900: 15,436 to 23,427, in 1910: 16,903 to 27,309 and in 1921: 7,415 to 35,800. The reason for the change in the ratio was the high increase in the city's population, mainly caused by newly immigrated Czechs. The share of Germans fell below the legal limit of 20% and thus the Czech language became the only official language. The coexistence of Czechs and Germans was mostly peaceful, which changed only in the 1930s, when most of Germans tended to Nazism. During the Occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939–1945, the city was part of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. There was said to be established then a Gestapo prison and a forced labour camp in the city. During the final stages of World War II, in March 1945, České Budějovice was significantly damaged by United States Army Air Forces raids on strategic locations. At the end of the war, on 9 or 10 May 1945, Soviet troops occupied the city. The almost entire German population, which numbered 6,000 people, was then expelled under the Beneš decrees.

Demographics

[edit] Historical populationYearPop.±%186919,232—    188026,039+35.4%189032,134+23.4%190045,524+41.7%191054,786+20.3%YearPop.±%192157,557+5.1%193059,079+2.6%195055,709−5.7%196164,661+16.1%197076,699+18.6%YearPop.±%198088,448+15.3%199197,243+9.9%200197,339+0.1%201193,715−3.7%202195,664+2.1%Source: Censuses

Economy

[edit] České Budějovice is the economic centre of the entire South Bohemian Region and the seat of many large corporations. The largest employers with its headquarters in České Budějovice and at least 1,000 employees are: Economic entity Number of employees Main activity České Budějovice Hospital 4,000–4,999 Health care dm-drogerie markt 3,000–3,999 Retail sale Robert Bosch 3,000–3,999 Manufacture of parts for motor vehicles University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice 2,500–2,999 Education Regional Police Directorate of the South Bohemian Region 2,500–2,999 Public administration Madeta 1,500–1,999 Dairy Swietelsky stavební 1,500–1,999 Construction ČEVAK 1,000–1,499 Operation of water management infrastructure E.ON Česká republika 1,000–1,499 Distributor of electricity and natural gas Jednota 1,000–1,499 Retail sale The České Budějovice agglomeration was defined as a tool for drawing money from the European Structural and Investment Funds. It is an area that includes the city and its surroundings, linked to the city by commuting and migration. It has about 180,000 inhabitants. Beer brewing[edit] Budweiser Budvar Brewery Budweiser Budvar, one of the world's most famous beers Main article: Budweiser Budvar Brewery Since its foundation in the 13th century, České Budějovice has been well known for brewing. In 1351, the city obtained the so-called "mile right" from the king, i.e. that no pubs outside the city can be located within a radius of 10 km, and from 1410, not even breweries. For a time, the town was the imperial brewery for the Holy Roman Emperor, and Budweiser Bier (i.e. beer from Budweis) became, along with Pilsner from Plzeň, one of the best-known lagers. Brewing remains a major industry. The largest brewery, founded in 1895, is Budweiser Budvar, which has legal rights to market its beer under the "Budweiser" brand name in much of Europe. The same product is also sold elsewhere under the names "Budvar" and "Czechvar" due to legal disagreements with Anheuser-Busch over the Budweiser brand and Anheuser-Busch sells its beer as "Bud" in most of the European Union. The American lager was originally brewed as an imitation of the famous Bohemian original, but over time has developed its own identity and attained remarkable commercial success. Anheuser-Busch has made offers to buy out the Czech brewing company in order to secure global rights to the name "Budweiser", but the Czech government has refused all such offers, regarding the Czech Budweiser name as a matter of national pride. The oldest operating and second largest brewery, founded in 1795, was renamed to "Pivovar Samson", replacing its original German name "Budweiser Bürgerbräu" during the communist period. It also exported, mostly under the "Samson" and "Crystal" labels. Recently, they reacquired naming rights for Budweiser for Europe while offering "B. B. Bürgerbräu" in the United States since 2005.

Transport

[edit] Trolleybus Škoda 25Tr serving the city The European route E55 (the section from Prague to the Czech-Austrian border at Dolní Dvořiště) passes through České Budějovice. The section from Prague to České Budějovice is formed by the D3 motorway. The section from České Budějovice to the Czech-Austrian border is formed by the I/3 road. The second notable road connection is the I/20 road (part of the European route E49), which connects České Budějovice with Plzeň and Karlovy Vary. Direct international railways were built via České Budějovice by the Czech-Austrian companies Emperor Franz Joseph Railway in 1868 and Empress Elisabeth Railway in 1871, connecting Vienna with Plzeň and Prague with Zurich, via Linz and Salzburg. Today, the most important lines in operation are Prague–České Budějovice, České Budějovice–Linz and Plzeň–Jihlava. The city is served by four train stations. The main station is named České Budějovice; other stations in the city are České Budějovice severní zastávka, České Budějovice jižní zastávka and Nové Hodějovice. Public domestic and international České Budějovice Airport is located 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) southwest from České Budějovice, in the territory of the municipalities of Planá and Homole. Intra-city transport is provided by buses and trolleybuses. Buses provide 16 lines (including 3 electric buses) and trolleybuses provide 7 lines. The transport company is owned by the city.

Culture

[edit] The most important annual event in the city is the Země Živitelka ('Earth the Breadwinner') exhibition. It is focused on agriculture and food industry. It takes place in the Výstaviště České Budějovice area, which is the largest area for holding exhibitions, cultural and social events in the city. Země Živitelka has been held regularly since 1973 and followed up on the exhibitions held here in 1960 and 1970. In 2028, České Budějovice will be the European Capital of Culture.

Sport

[edit] Swimming Stadium České Budějovice Venues[edit] České Budějovice is the site of many sports facilities and national stadiums, including the football Stadion Střelecký ostrov, the ice-hockey Budvar Arena and the Athletic Stadium Sokol. The Swimming Stadium České Budějovice features a 50-metre indoor pool, a diving pool, saunas, an outdoor swimming pool and a children's pool. After the modernization in 1998 a covered water slide was added and after the modernization in 2017 a new whirlpool. Motorcycle speedway was a prominent sport in the city from 18 September 1956 until 1 July 1973. The speedway stadium on the Dlouhá louka, off Na Sádkách, opened in September 1955 and had a capacity of 30,000 spectators. The track was a 485-metre (530 yard) oval and a team representing the city participated in the inaugural Czechoslovak Team Speedway Championship in 1956. Sport clubs[edit] Střelecký ostrov, the football stadium SK Dynamo České Budějovice (association football – Czech National Football League) Motor České Budějovice (ice hockey – Czech Extraliga) Jihostroj České Budějovice (volleyball) TJ Sokol České Budějovice (athletics) Hellboys České Budějovice (american football) RC České Budějovice (rugby football) TJ Lokomotiva České Budějovice (handball) Budějovické Barakudy (cricket) FBC Štíři České Budějovice (floorball) TJ Dynamo České Budějovice (football tennis) SKVS České Budějovice (canoe slalom)

Sights

[edit] Black Tower and Cathedral of St. Nicholas Iron Maiden Tower The historic city centre is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument reservation. Among the main landmarks of the city and most visited tourist destinations is the Black Tower (Černá věž). It was built in 1550–1577 as a guarding tower and a bell tower. It is 72 m (236 ft) high and 225 wooden steps lead to the top. The tower is equipped by six bells. The Iron Maiden Tower and the Rabenštejn Tower are a 14th-century former prisons and two of the few remains of the Old Town's Gothic fortifications. Today the first one houses a pub and the second one houses an exhibition of armour and historical weapons. In 1872, the Gothic town walls were demolished. City square[edit] The historic city centre is formed by the large Přemysl Otakar II. Square and its surroundings. The city square has the shape of a regular square and belongs among the largest squares in the country. The square is lined with Renaissance and Baroque houses with arcades. Most of the houses have a Gothic core. In the middle of the square is Samson Fountain. It is a Baroque fountain built in 1721–1727, which is the largest fountain in the Czech Republic with a diameter of 17 m (56 ft). Originally, it was not only decorative, but also served to supply the city with water from the Vltava river. Next to the fountain is the so-called Lost Rock, the only remnant of the original pavement. The City Hall is the most distinctive house on the square. It was originally a Renaissance house from the mid-16th century, completely rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1727–1730 according to the design of Anton Erhard Martinelli. The façade with three towers is decorated with four allegorical sculptures. On the highest tower there is a carillon from 1995. The City Hall still serves its purpose today, but it also offers guided tours. Sacral monuments[edit] Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (rear) The Dominican Monastery with the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary are the oldest monuments in the historic centre of České Budějovice. The monastery was founded in 1265 together with the city. The originally Gothic buildings were rebuilt in the Baroque style. The monastery was abolished in 1785. In 1865, the church was modified in the neo-Gothic style. The former Capuchin monastery was founded in 1614. The Church of Saint Anne was built in the early Baroque style in 1615–1621. The monastery was abolished in 1804 and its building was rebuilt in the Neoclassical style in 1843–1844. In the 1980s, the church was converted into a concert hall. The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas is a three-nave basilica, located near the main city square. It was founded in 1265. After the fire in 1641, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. In 1785, the church was promoted to a cathedral. The Church of the Holy Family was built in the neo-Gothic style in 1886–1887. It has a valuable Beuron Art School decoration of the interior. The Church of Saints John the Baptist and Procopius was founded in the first half of the 13th century, in the original village before the foundation of the royal city. It was expanded and modified many times; its present appearance is the result of regotisation in 1872. Next to the church is the oldest cemetery in České Budějovice with many valuable tombstones. Museums[edit] Museum of South Bohemia The Museum of South Bohemia was founded in 1870 and opened to the public in 1877 in a house next to the city hall. The current museum was built in the Neo-Renaissance style in 1899–1901 and opened in 1903. The museum has four permanent exhibitions: archaeological, natural science, geological and ethnographic. The Museum of the Horse Drawn Railway is a branch of the Museum of South Bohemia. It is located in a former guardhouse at the point where the Budweis–Linz Horse-Drawn Railway started. The house, as well as all the preserved sections of the horse-drawn railway, is protected as a national cultural monument.

In literature

[edit] The city is one of the major settings in the novel The Good Soldier Švejk by Jaroslav Hašek. České Budějovice is the setting and was the working title for the play The Misunderstanding by Albert Camus.

Notable people

[edit] Adalbert Gyrowetz (1763–1850), composer Matyáš Kalina of Jäthenstein (1772–1848), archaeologist Franz Schuselka (1811–1886), politician Otto Pilny (1866–1936), painter Otto Steinhäusl (1879–1940), police officer Jan Palouš (1888–1971), ice hockey player Vlastimil Rada (1895–1962), painter and illustrator Rudolf Tomaschek (1895–1966), experimental physicist Anna Binder-Urbanová (1912–2004), philosophy lecturer Norbert Frýd (1913–1976), writer Rolf Thiele (1918–1994), film director and producer Haro Senft (1928–2016), film director Marta Kubišová (born 1942), singer Vladimír Remek (born 1948), cosmonaut, pilot and politician Pavel Tobiáš (born 1955), football player and manager František Straka (born 1958), football player and manager Zdeněk Tůma (born 1960), economist Karel Roden (born 1962), actor Karel Havlíček (born 1969), politician Karel Vácha (born 1970), footballer Jiří Lerch (born 1971), footballer Jaroslav Modrý (born 1971), ice hockey player Radek Mynář (born 1974), footballer Stanislav Neckář (born 1975), ice hockey player Václav Prospal (born 1975), ice hockey player Martin Hofmann (born 1978), actor Roman Lengyel (born 1978), footballer Vladimíra Uhlířová (born 1978), tennis player Josef Melichar (born 1979), ice hockey player David Lafata (born 1981), footballer Václav Nedorost (born 1982), ice hockey player Filip Novák (born 1982), ice hockey player Michal Trpák (born 1982), sculptor Jiří Kladrubský (born 1985), footballer Milan Gulaš (born 1985), ice hockey player Tomáš Mertl (born 1986), ice hockey player Martin Hanzal (born 1987), ice hockey player

Twin towns – sister cities

[edit] See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic České Budějovice is twinned with: Linz, Austria Lorient, France Nitra, Slovakia Passau, Germany Suhl, Germany

Klagenfurt

Klagenfurt (Slovenian: Celovec) is the capital of Carinthia in Austria. The Old City, with its central Alter Platz (Old Square) and the Renaissance buildings with their charming arcaded courtyards are a major attraction.