Netolice – Urban Heritage Zone

The preserved medieval core of the town of Netolice, rich in historical monuments, has been declared an urban heritage zone. The first written mention of the Netolice Castle appears in the Chronicle of Cosmas in 981. In its time, the Přemyslid castellany and the market settlement were an important princely and royal administrative, military, and trade center in South Bohemia. It was also a crossroads for several trade routes, the most famous being the Linz Trail.

Netolice was renowned for horse breeding, markets, fish farming, and bread-making. In 1338, the first bakers’ guild in Bohemia was established here. The town is also connected with Štěpánek Netolický, the founder of Czech fishpond culture, who was born here in the 15th century.

Netolice boasts a number of noteworthy architectural monuments. These include the Přemyslid castellany, with an archeopark located on its acropolis, and two churches – the originally Gothic Church of St. Wenceslas with Romanesque elements, and the Church of the Virgin Mary from the mid-13th century. The town square features a fountain and a Neo-Renaissance town hall, along with a brewery and salt warehouse. Stone bridges span the Rapačovský stream flowing through Netolice. On the dam of the Mnich fishpond are the remains of a small castle. These sites are also featured along a 3 km long educational trail.