Strakonice, a modern town with an interesting history, architecture and well-known industrial enterprises, has developed on the confluence of the rivers Otava and Volyňka on the intersection of the roads connecting Prague with Vimperk and České Budějovice with Horažďovice and near the railroad junction České Budějovice – Plzeň and Březnice – Vimperk. The town arose in the 14th century from a settlement in the shadow of a monumental medieval castle gradually absorbing other settlements – Bezděkov, Žabokrty and Lom, the existence of which is commemorated by the Church of St. Wenceslas. The original medieval town formed a unique urban entity, still noticeable in the town centre. Two almost parallel oblong squares connected by a single narrow alley (U Sv. Markéty) and a millrace together with a river branch created an island in the middle of the river (a quater called Na Ostrově). The ancient past is reminded by Masné krámy (Old Butcher´s shop) on Velké náměstí (the Large Square), plaque columm in the middle of Palacký Square or the Church of St Margaret. Both squares and streets along Renner´s Gardens are embroidered with a number of storey buildings with richly decorated facades.
Industrial development of the past two centuries altered the urbanity of the town. Fezko manufactured its noted textile products in its factories near the castle or in the quarter Na Ostrově. Production shops of the Czech Ammunition Factory took fields, meadows and the lake of the former settlement of Lom.
Nowadays, the town offers not only pleasant walks through the town or nearby Podskalí and along the Otava River but also many sport and culture facilities including a swimming pool or a winter stadium.
Strakonice Castle is a unique historical and architectural landmark which
played an important role in the development of the town, since its owners
had a significant impact on the life of the inhabitants until the 19 th century.
The castle was owned by the noble family of Bavor from Strakonice up to 1243
when the family donated part of the castle to the Maltese Knights (the Knights
of St John´s Order) who gained the entire castle at the beginning of the 15
th century and kept it for a long time since then. There is probably no similar
building in Bohemia that was held by the same owner for almost 700 years.
The owner changed again as lately as 1925 when the castle was bought by Rudolf
Beran, MP.
The oldest parts of the castle are marked by the Gothic architecture – the
Church of St Prokop, originally consecrated to St Vojtěch, the construction
of which commenced in the 13 th century, the Capitullar Hall and a cylindrical
tower with an edge called Rumpál. The Renaissance period marked the construction
of the tower Jelenka in the southern part of the castle. The front of the
eastern part, called the Chateau, was rebuilt in the Classicist style. Other
modifications concerned mainly reconstructions of former industrial and farm
buildings – a brewery, a mill and a manor. The gradual reconstruction did
not fundamentally change the medieval look of the castle with its enclosed
second courtyard and a moat near the river.
Strakonice Castle has never been isolated, it has always belonged to the town
taking part in its life.
The exhibition halls of the museum have welcome visitors for more than five
decades. The northwest buildings house a library and another part of the castle
houses the Basic Art School. Regular services are held in the church and many
interesting events take place at the castle courtyard. Every visitor can certainly
find a place of interest or an attractive event in the large area of the castle.
Monuments, tablets or regular cultural events remind the town´s citizens of
prominent natives. Besides František Ladislav Čelakovský we can also mention
Josef Skupa, the autor of the world – famous wooden puppets Spejbl and Hurvínek.
Strakonice region is inseparably connected with folk bagpipe music. The tradition
of bagpipe playing became a basis for contemporary international bagpipe festivals
and regular meetings of bagpipers from all over the world.