Habitation Project

HABITATION   -   CESKE    BUDEJOVICE 

University of the Third Age

     This administrative, economic and cultural center of the region of South Bohemia, with a population of about a hundred thousand people, was founded on the confluence of the Malse and the Vltava rivers in 1265 by the king Premysl Otakar II. The choice of the place - the confluence of two main rivers in South Bohemia - shows us that it is an area geographically very significant.
     The dominant landmark of the center is the rectangular one-hectare square surrounded by burgher houses with arcades, among which especially the newly renovated Baroque town hall attracts attention. The middle of the square is featured by Samson fountain with a sculpture by J. Dietrich. The square got its name after the king Premysl Otakar II. Its first purpose was to get an area, which would be big enough for the market. In medieval age, this place was also a significant point for orientation. The secular feasts and executions were held here and also the army alert was gathering in the square when it was needed. The houses of the square were the nicest and the most expensive in town.
     In the middle of the nineteenth century the tradition of evening strolls - the sociable walks on the sides of the square - begun. Many national visitors were welcomed here and many political events, which are connected to the political reversal in our country, were held here.
Another notable landmark is the Black Tower, with the height of 72 m, until recently the tallest building in the town. In the past it served as a watch and bell tower. These days it offers a beautiful view of the town from its gallery.
     The oldest building in Ceske Budejovice is the Dominican monastery with the Church of Presentation of St. Mary in Piaristicke square.
The entire center is surrounded by more or less visible remains of the medieval municipal fortifications - The Iron Maiden is a part of it. Also worth mentioning is the small museum dedicated to the Czech part of the former horse railway leading from Ceske Budejovice to Linz Austria.
The town is the seat of large enterprises, the most important of which are undoubtedly the world-known Budvar brewery, the older Samson brewery, the pencil factory Koh-i-noor and the factories for dishes: Sfinx and Bellis.
     In 1991, the University of South Bohemia, which is consisted of 6 faculties, was founded in town. For tourism, owing to its advantageous location, Ceske Budejovice can serve as a starting point for traveling all over South Bohemia.
     The town council - the department of land-use planning and architecture - is in charge of maintainance of cultural and historical landmarks. The maintainance is a part of the program for the regeneration of town landmark reservations and town landmark zones.