Bělčice

Bělčice
Town
Town square with the town hall
Flag Coat of arms
Bělčice Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°30′9″N 13°52′33″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	South Bohemian
District	Strakonice
First mentioned	1243
Area
• Total	34.33 km2 (13.25 sq mi)
Elevation	526 m (1,726 ft)
Population  (2024-01-01)
• Total	996
• Density	29/km2 (75/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	387 43
Website	www.belcice.cz

Bělčice is a town in Strakonice District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,000 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The villages of Hostišovice, Podruhlí, Tisov, Újezdec, Záhrobí and Závišín are administrative parts of Bělčice.

Etymology

The name Bělčice is derived from the personal name Bělec (or Bílek), meaning "the village of Bělec's people".

Geography

Bělčice is located about 27 kilometres (17 mi) north of Strakonice and 43 km (27 mi) southeast of Plzeň. It lies on the border between the Blatná Uplands and Benešov Uplands. The highest point is the hill Kněžská hora at 565 metres (1,854 ft) above sea level. The area is rich in fishponds and minor streams.

History

The first written mention of Bělčice is from 1243. At the end of the 15th century, the village was promoted to a town. Bělčice was badly damaged during the Thirty Years' War and ceased to be a town. In 1898, it became a town again.

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 2,496 —     1880 2,585 +3.6% 1890 2,438 −5.7% 1900 2,308 −5.3% 1910 2,366 +2.5%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 2,249 −4.9% 1930 2,135 −5.1% 1950 1,614 −24.4% 1961 1,586 −1.7% 1970 1,410 −11.1%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 1,275 −9.6% 1991 1,093 −14.3% 2001 991 −9.3% 2011 1,005 +1.4% 2021 997 −0.8%
Source: Censuses

Transport

Bělčice is located on the railway line Strakonice–Beroun.

Sights

Church of Saints Peter and Paul at the town square

The main landmark of Bělčice is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. It was built in the late Romanesque style around 1240. The Gothic presbytery was built in the beginning of the 14th century. Next to the church is a separate neo-Gothic bell tower from 1863.

External links

• Official website