Bělčice

Bělčice
Town square with the town hall
Town square with the town hall
Flag of Bělčice
Coat of arms of Bělčice
Bělčice is located in Czech Republic
Bělčice
Bělčice
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°30′9″N 13°52′33″E / 49.50250°N 13.87583°E / 49.50250; 13.87583
Country Czech Republic
RegionSouth Bohemian
DistrictStrakonice
First mentioned1243
Area
 • Total
34.33 km2 (13.25 sq mi)
Elevation
526 m (1,726 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total
996
 • Density29/km2 (75/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
387 43
Websitewww.belcice.cz

Bělčice is a town in Strakonice District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,000 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The villages of Hostišovice, Podruhlí, Tisov, Újezdec, Záhrobí and Závišín are administrative parts of Bělčice.

Etymology

The name Bělčice is derived from the personal name Bělec (or Bílek), meaning "the village of Bělec's people".[2]

Geography

Bělčice is located about 27 kilometres (17 mi) north of Strakonice and 43 km (27 mi) southeast of Plzeň. It lies on the border between the Blatná Uplands and Benešov Uplands. The highest point is the hill Kněžská hora at 565 metres (1,854 ft) above sea level. The area is rich in fishponds and minor streams.

History

The first written mention of Bělčice is from 1243.[3] At the end of the 15th century, the village was promoted to a town. Bělčice was badly damaged during the Thirty Years' War and ceased to be a town. In 1898, it became a town again.[4]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18692,496—    
18802,585+3.6%
18902,438−5.7%
19002,308−5.3%
19102,366+2.5%
YearPop.±%
19212,249−4.9%
19302,135−5.1%
19501,614−24.4%
19611,586−1.7%
19701,410−11.1%
YearPop.±%
19801,275−9.6%
19911,093−14.3%
2001991−9.3%
20111,005+1.4%
2021997−0.8%
Source: Censuses[5][6]

Transport

Bělčice is located on the railway line Strakonice–Beroun.[7]

Sights

Church of Saints Peter and Paul at the town square

The main landmark of Bělčice is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. It was built in the late Romanesque style around 1240. The Gothic presbytery was built in the beginning of the 14th century. Next to the church is a separate neo-Gothic bell tower from 1863.[8]

References

  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). p. 48.
  3. ^ "Město Bělčice" (in Czech). Město Bělčice. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  4. ^ "Historie" (in Czech). Město Bělčice. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  5. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  6. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  7. ^ "Detail stanice Bělčice" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  8. ^ "Kostel sv. Petra a Pavla" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-10-30.