Vlašim (Czech pronunciation: [ˈvlaʃɪm]; German: Wlaschim) is a town in Benešov District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 11,000 inhabitants. Vlašim is known for its castle and English park.

Vlašim
Žižkovo Square
Žižkovo Square
Flag of Vlašim
Coat of arms of Vlašim
Vlašim is located in Czech Republic
Vlašim
Vlašim
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°42′23″N 14°53′56″E / 49.70639°N 14.89889°E / 49.70639; 14.89889
Country Czech Republic
RegionCentral Bohemian
DistrictBenešov
First mentioned1318
Government
 • MayorLuděk Jeništa
Area
 • Total
41.42 km2 (15.99 sq mi)
Elevation
365 m (1,198 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)[1]
 • Total
11,455
 • Density280/km2 (720/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
258 01
Websitewww.mesto-vlasim.cz

Administrative parts

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The villages of Bolina, Domašín, Hrazená Lhota, Nesperská Lhota, Polánka and Znosim are administrative parts of Vlašim.

Etymology

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The name is derived from the personal name Vlašim, meaning "Vlašim's (property)".[2]

Geography

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Vlašim is located about 17 kilometres (11 mi) southeast of Benešov and 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Prague. It lies in the Vlašim Uplands. The highest point is at 528 m (1,732 ft) above sea level. The Blanice River flows through the town.

History

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Vlašim Castle

The castle is Vlašim was probably built in 1303 by local noble family, which started calling itself the Vlašim family. The first written mention of the castle and therefore of Vlašim is from 1318. After the Vlašim family, the town was owned by the Trčka of Lípa family and then by the Ostrovec family. As a result of the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, the properties of the Ostrovec family were confiscated and Vlašim was acquired by the Talmberk family in 1622. They owned the town until 1744. From 1744 until the end of World War II, the Vlašim estate was owned by the Auersperg family.[2][3]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
18694,040—    
18804,547+12.5%
18904,791+5.4%
19004,936+3.0%
19105,115+3.6%
YearPop.±%
19215,075−0.8%
19305,464+7.7%
19507,444+36.2%
19618,747+17.5%
197010,515+20.2%
YearPop.±%
198012,613+20.0%
199112,809+1.6%
200112,270−4.2%
201111,723−4.5%
202111,284−3.7%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Economy

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The most significant industrial company in Vlašim is Sellier & Bellot, a manufacturer of ammunition. It employs more than 1,500 people.[6]

Transport

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Vlašim is located on the BenešovTrhový Štěpánov railway line.[7]

Vlašim aerodrome, LKVL, has been re-opened in 2019 for national public traffic.

Culture

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Vlašim castle gate
 
Church of Saint Giles

The castle park hosts an annual festival on 1 May, which is a public holiday in the Czech Republic.[8]

Sport

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The town is home to an association football team, FC Sellier & Bellot Vlašim, which plays in the Czech National Football League, the second tier of Czech football.

Sights

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The Vlašim Castle is the main landmark of the town. The original Gothic castle was rebuilt in the Renaissance style in the 16th century.[3]> It is surrounded with an English landscape garden with many pieces of romantic architecture such as the Chinese pavilion, Old Castle and its three gates.[8]

The Church of Saint Giles is a late Gothic building, built in 1522–1523.[9]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ a b "Vlašimský zámecký park kdysi zdobila řada podivuhodných staveb" (in Czech). Novinky.cz. 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  3. ^ a b "Vlašim oslní zámkem a roztodivným parkem, Blaník svou tajemností" (in Czech). Novinky.cz. 2011-11-14. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  4. ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  5. ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  6. ^ "Registr ekonomických subjektů". Business Register (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  7. ^ "Detail stanice Vlašim" (in Czech). České dráhy. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  8. ^ a b "O Vlašimi" (in Czech). Město Vlašim. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  9. ^ "Vlašim, kostel sv. Jiljí". Noc kostelů (in Czech). Retrieved 2024-05-19.
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