Strakonice – Bagpipe Capital
Strakonice is located at the confluence of the Otava and Volyňka rivers. The town center, known as the "Lower Town," features an elongated square that resembles a wide street today. Overlooking it is the castle of the Bavarian family, who were related to the ruling Přemyslid dynasty. On the left bank of the river lies the newer Upper Town.
Strakonice was granted town rights as early as 1367 and came under ecclesiastical ownership in 1402.
A unique landmark is Strakonice Castle, notable for both its historical significance and architectural features. The classical entrance wing might be misleading at first, but once you pass through the gate, the castle’s grandeur becomes apparent. The complex is currently under reconstruction and will reopen in 2021, but the 31-meter-high Rumpál Tower and the Black Kitchen remain open to visitors.
Little is known about the early history of the castle. Around 1243, a palace stood at the river confluence, shared by the secular Bavarian lords and the Knights Hospitaller (Order of Saint John). By the early 15th century, the order gained full control of the castle. After their convent in Prague was plundered by the Hussites, they relocated to Strakonice, where they maintained their Grand Priory seat until 1693. The order held the property until 1926. Today, it houses the Museum of the Central Otava Region, and a new exhibition on the history of the Knights of Malta is being prepared in cooperation with the Order, now again based in Prague’s Lesser Town.
After renovations, the castle will host the largest bagpipe collection in Central Europe, which continues to grow. The exhibition will also showcase historic musical instruments, and traditional products from the once-famous local ČZ brand, including weapons, motorcycles, and bicycles.
The Otava River, the natural axis of Strakonice and the Prácheň region, is famed for gold panning and freshwater pearls. It is formed by the confluence of the Vydra and Křemelná rivers near Čeňkova Pila in the Šumava mountains. The name Otava supposedly derives from the Celtic word "Atawa," meaning "rich water."
On the Calvary hill west of the castle once stood a Gothic chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, surrounded by a cemetery believed to be the final resting place of the legendary bagpiper Švanda. His trail, now adapted for hiking, leads from the castle along the river, loops, and returns. It offers a pleasant and informative walk. Josef Kajetán Tyl, author of the famous play Švanda the Bagpiper, frequently visited with his theater troupe and expressed a desire to settle in Strakonice, as he was fond of the town.
Today, bagpipes are at the heart of local culture: a large exhibition of historical and modern instruments can be seen in the museum, the International Bagpipe Festival has taken place biennially for over 20 years, and the local beer specialty is named Dudák (Bagpiper).
Accessibility
Year-round
Entrance fee
free
How to get there
You can use one of the local car parks
Time needed to visit
2 hours
Additional information
Notable Natives and Figures
- František Ladislav Čelakovský (1799-1852) - Czech national revival poet, critic and translator.
- Ing. Pavel Pavel (born 1957) - experimental archaeologist who, as a member of Thor Heyerdahl's Easter Island expedition, put into practice his theory of how ancient Aborigines transported giant Moai statues.
- Josef Skupa (1982-1957) - the "father" of Spejbl and Hurvínek, whose memorial plaque adorns his birthplace in the middle of the Great Square.
Our tip
The International Bagpipe Festival in the second half of August is attended by bagpipe groups from all over the world. Some of the best known musicians are from Scotland, Holland, Germany and also Turkey.
Do you know that...
…that one of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Malta, Jan of Rožmberk, was both devout and humorous? He commissioned a giant set of bagpipes with eight pipes for eight pipers, requiring four bearers. The castle courtyard became so crowded that the instrument was paraded through the town so all could see it. Its booming sound gave rise to the nickname “Dudákov” (Bagpipe Town) for Strakonice.
