Chvalšiny (German: Kalsching) is a municipality and village in Český Krumlov District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,200 inhabitants. The historic centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

Chvalšiny
Church of Saint Mary Magdalene and the square
Church of Saint Mary Magdalene and the square
Flag of Chvalšiny
Coat of arms of Chvalšiny
Chvalšiny is located in Czech Republic
Chvalšiny
Chvalšiny
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 48°51′15″N 14°12′40″E / 48.85417°N 14.21111°E / 48.85417; 14.21111
Country Czech Republic
RegionSouth Bohemian
DistrictČeský Krumlov
First mentioned1281
Area
 • Total
27.95 km2 (10.79 sq mi)
Elevation
575 m (1,886 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total
1,249
 • Density45/km2 (120/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
382 08
Websitewww.chvalsiny.cz

Administrative parts

edit

The villages of Borová, Červený Dvůr and Hejdlov are administrative parts of Chvalšiny.

Etymology

edit

The village was originally called Chvališín. The name was derived from the personal name Chvališa, meaning "Chvališa's (court)".[2]

Geography

edit

Chvalšiny is located about 9 kilometres (6 mi) northwest of Český Krumlov and 23 km (14 mi) southwest of České Budějovice. Chvalšiny lies in the Bohemian Forest Foothills. The highest point is at 860 m (2,820 ft) above sea level. The stream of Chvalšinský potok flows through the municipality. Most of the municipal territory lies in the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area.

History

edit
 
Červený Dvůr Castle

The first written mention of Chvalšiny is from 1281, when it was confirmed as property of Zlatá Koruna Monastery. The settlement rapidly developed and already in 1293, it was referred to as a market town. From 1400 to 1785, the religious administration in Chvalšiny was performed by the monastery. During this period, the German settlers came to the area and slowly formed a majority.[3]

During the Hussite Wars, Oldřich II of Rosenberg acquired most of properties of the monastery, including Chvalšiny. Chvalšiny was owned by the Rosenberg family until 1601, when they sold it to Emperor Rudolf II. From 1622, it was owned by the Eggenberg family, and after their extinction, in 1719 it became property of the House of Schwarzenberg. The Schwarzenbergs held Chvalšiny until the abolition of serfdom in 1848.[3]

In 1938, Chvalšiny was annexed to Nazi Germany. After the World War II, the German population was expelled and the area was resettled by Czech citizens.[3]

Demographics

edit
Historical population
YearPop.±%
18691,755—    
18801,808+3.0%
18901,749−3.3%
19001,726−1.3%
19101,821+5.5%
YearPop.±%
19211,837+0.9%
19301,885+2.6%
1950933−50.5%
19611,053+12.9%
19701,047−0.6%
YearPop.±%
19801,135+8.4%
19911,102−2.9%
20011,111+0.8%
20111,272+14.5%
20211,225−3.7%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport

edit

There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipality.

Sights

edit
 
Schwarzenberg Canal Museum
on the square

The main landmark is the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene. It was built in the late Gothic style in 1487–1507 on the site of an older church.[6]

The former town hall is a Baroque building from 1667. Today it houses the Schwarzenberg Canal Museum and is thus a monument to the architect of the canal Josef Rosenauer, who is a local native.[7]

Červený Dvůr Castle is a Rococo manor house, surrounded by an English park. Today the building serves as a psychiatric hospital.[6]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ Profous, Antonín (1949). Místní jména v Čechách II: CH–L (in Czech). p. 75.
  3. ^ a b c "Historie obce" (in Czech). Obec Chvalšiny. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  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. ^ a b "Památky" (in Czech). Obec Chvalšiny. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  7. ^ "Barokní radnice Chvalšiny" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
edit