Benešov (; ) is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 17,000 inhabitants. The town is located on the stream Benešovský potok in the Benešov Uplands.
Benešov is known for the Konopiště Castle, which is protected as a national cultural monument.
Administrative division
Benešov consists of 15 municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):
- Benešov (15,232)
- Baba (1)
- Bedrč (127)
- Boušice (49)
- Buková Lhota (127)
- Červený Dvůr (14)
- Chvojen (12)
- Dlouhé Pole (114)
- Konopiště (54)
- Mariánovice (203)
- Okrouhlice (66)
- Pomněnice (63)
- Radíkovice (13)
- Úročnice (246)
- Vidlákova Lhota (48)
Etymology
The name is derived from the personal name Beneš.
Geography
Benešov is located about southeast of Prague. It lies in the Benešov Uplands. The highest point is the hill U Vlčí jámy at above sea level. The stream Benešovský potok flows through the town. In the western part of the municipal territory are situated the fishponds Konopišťský rybník and Jarkovický rybník.
History
thumb|Masarykovo náměstí with Church of Saint Anne
The area of Benešov began to be settled around the 11th century. The first settlers are believed to have arrived on Karlov Hill in around the year 1050 during the Přemyslid dynasty. The first written verified mention of Benešov is from 1219–1222, however there are unverified mentions from 1048 and 1070.
Benešov was seat of Lords of Benešov until 1317, when they moved to nearby Konopiště Castle. In 1327, Benešov became a market town. In 1420, the town was conquered and burned by the Hussites. However, Benešov recovered and at the end of the 15th century, it belonged among the most important towns in Bohemia. It was the centre of several political negotiations, such as the 1451 and 1473 meetings of the Bohemian Diet. In the 15th and 16th centuries the town experienced an economic boom, especially thanks to its location on the trade route from Prague to Linz. In 1512, Benešov became a town.
During World War II, in 1942, part of the town was evacuated temporarily as the training area of the Waffen SS was stationed here.
Economy
The largest industrial company based in the town is BCS Automotive Interface Solutions, an automotive electronics manufacturer with more than 250 employees. The largest non-industrial employer is the Benešov Hospital.
Transport
The I/3 road (part of the European route E55), which connects the D1 motorway with Tábor and further continues as the D3 motorway, runs through the town.
The Benešov u Prahy railway station is located on the lines Prague–České Budějovice and Benešov–Vlašim.
Sights
thumb|Konopiště Castle
thumb|Church of Saint Nicholas
The most significant monument is the Konopiště Castle. It is the most visited tourist destination in Benešov District, with about 74,000 to 85,000 visitors annually. It was built in 1294 as a copy of French fortresses. Around 1500, it was modified to the late Gothic style, and in 1605 to the Renaissance style. After 1725, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style. For its value, it is protected as a national cultural monument.
The Church of Saint Nicholas is the oldest preserved monument in Benešov. It was built in early Gothic style in the second half of the 13th century. After a fire in 1420, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style in 1583, and later once again in the Baroque style. The church includes a Gothic bell from 1322, one of the oldest preserved bells in the Czech Republic.
The town centre with the square Masarykovo náměstí includes Baroque and Art Nouveau houses and the architecturally awarded building of the new town hall.
- Sainte-Agnès, France