Bečov nad Teplou

(Redirected from Bečov Castle)

Bečov nad Teplou (German: Petschau) is a town in Karlovy Vary District in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 900 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as urban monument zone.

Bečov nad Teplou
Bečov Castle
Bečov Castle
Flag of Bečov nad Teplou
Coat of arms of Bečov nad Teplou
Bečov nad Teplou is located in Czech Republic
Bečov nad Teplou
Bečov nad Teplou
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°5′0″N 12°50′18″E / 50.08333°N 12.83833°E / 50.08333; 12.83833
Country Czech Republic
RegionKarlovy Vary
DistrictKarlovy Vary
First mentioned1387
Government
 • MayorMiroslav Nepraš
Area
 • Total
19.82 km2 (7.65 sq mi)
Elevation
532 m (1,745 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total
919
 • Density46/km2 (120/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
364 64
Websitewww.becov.cz

Administrative parts

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The villages of Krásný Jez and Vodná are administrative parts of Bečov nad Teplou. Krásný Jez forms an exclave of the municipal territory.

Etymology

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According to the most probable theory, the initial name of the settlement was Bečkov and the name was derived from the personal name Bečka, meaning "Bečka's (court)".[2]

Geography

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Bečov nad Teplou is located about 16 kilometres (10 mi) south of Karlovy Vary. It lies in the Slavkov Forest. The highest point is the Besídka hill at 713 m (2,339 ft) above sea level. The Teplá River flows through the town.

History

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The first written mention of the Bečov Castle is from 1317. It was founded by the Lords of Rýzmburk. The settlement of Bečov was first mentioned in 1387. In 1399, it was promoted to a town.[3]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
18692,905—    
18802,828−2.7%
18902,729−3.5%
19002,868+5.1%
19102,809−2.1%
YearPop.±%
19212,760−1.7%
19302,853+3.4%
19501,238−56.6%
19611,512+22.1%
19701,250−17.3%
YearPop.±%
19801,138−9.0%
19911,086−4.6%
20011,002−7.7%
2011962−4.0%
2021909−5.5%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport

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The I/20 road (part of the European route E49) from Plzeň to Karlovy Vary passes through Bečov nad Teplou.

Bečov nad Teplou is located on the regional railway line from Karlovy Vary to Mariánské Lázně. It is also the starting point of the lines to Rakovník and to Žlutice.[6]

Sights

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Church of Saint George

Bečov nad Teplou is known for the complex of Bečov Castle and Bečov Chateau. The complex is open to the public and offers guided tours.[7] The exposition contains the second most valuable movable monument in the Czech Republic, the Reliquary of St. Maurus.[8]

The Church of Saint George was built in the late Baroque style in 1763–1767. The tower was finished in 1885.[9]

A notable landmark is the late Baroque town hall. It dates from 1760.[10]

A botanical garden was gradually created in Bečov nad Teplou in 1918–1935. After the garden was acquired by the Czechoslovak state in 1945, it gradually fell ito disrepair. In 2005, the local botanical organization ČSOP Berkut decided to recover and maintain the botanical garden.[11]

Notable people

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Twin towns – sister cities

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Bečov nad Teplou is twinned with:[12]

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References

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  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ Profous, Antonín (1947). Místní jména v Čechách I: A–H (in Czech). pp. 37–38.
  3. ^ "Bečov v letopočtech" (in Czech). Město Bečov nad Teplou. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  4. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  5. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  6. ^ "Detail stanice Bečov n.Teplou" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  7. ^ "Castle and Chateau History". Bečov Castle and Chateau. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  8. ^ "Archeologové našli další část slavného Relikviáře sv. Maura, druhé nejcennější památky v Česku" (in Czech). Czech Radio. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  9. ^ "Kostel sv. Jiří" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  10. ^ "Radnice" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  11. ^ "Bečov Botanical Garden". Cartography of (Eco)systems. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  12. ^ "Partnerská města" (in Czech). Město Bečov nad Teplou. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
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