Býšť () is a municipality and village in Pardubice District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,700 inhabitants.

Administrative division

Býšť consists of four municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):

  • Býšť (962)
  • Bělečko (261)
  • Hoděšovice (369)
  • Hrachoviště (94)

Etymology

The name was derived from the personal name Býšek or Býška.

Geography

Býšť is located about northeast of Pardubice and southeast of Hradec Králové. It lies on the border between the East Elbe Table and Orlice Table.

History

The first written mention of Býšť is from 1360, when the church was mentioned. Býšť was devastated during the Thirty Years' War. The first school here was built in 1780. During the 19th century, there was also a synagogue.

In the 18th century, Býšť, together with Rokytno and Chvojenec, was the centre of a persecuted religious sect of Deists called blouznivci.

Demographics

Transport

The I/35 road from Hradec Králové to Olomouc runs through the municipality.

Sights

The main landmark of Býšť is the Church of Saint George. The current Baroque building dates from 1822, when it was reconstructed after a fire.