Basic facts

Pelhřimov is located approximately half-way between Prague and Brno. It is known as “the Gateway to the Highlands“ because of its location in the westernmost tip of the Czech-Moravian Highlands. The altitude above sea level at the foot of the tower of the Church of St. Bartholomew is 498.63 metres and at the railway station it is 509.7 metres.

Early history

The earliest settlement, in the first half of the 13th century, was most probably near St Vitus church and in Hrnčiřská street. In 1289 it was raided by Vítek of Hluboká. In 1290 king Wenceslas II granted bishop Tobias of Bechyně a privilege to renew the town and to fortify it with ramparts. Everything seems to indicate that the town was the result of colonization, chiefly by German colonists. Gradually, Czechs established themselves as a majority. In the Husssite wars Pelhřimov sided with the Hussites and even provided one of their spiritual leaders – Mikuláš – Nicholas - Biskupec of Pelhřimov. The favourable position of the town on the borderline of the domain of the Rožmberks and of the lords of Kunštát was important even later, after the upheavals ended and the reconciliation of the lords began. In 1446-1450 Pelhřimov was chosen as the venue of land diets, attended in person even by the king Jiří of Poděbrady. Silver mining in the vicinity of Křemešník was beneficial for the expansion of Pelhřimov. Many crafts flourished in the town: drapers and clothiers, weavers, dyers, gingerbread makers and brewers. In 1434 the town passed into the hands of the lords Trček of Lípa, who sold the estate in 1550 to Adam Říčanskký of Říčany, who built a castle in the immediate vicinity of the ramparts. However, the lords of Říčany did not reside at the castle for long. Adam's son Karel systematically interfered with the rights of the burghers and was involved in endless disputes with them - finally, in 1572 the town bought its freedom. In 1596 Emperor Rudolf II raised Pelhřimov to a royal town. The repressions that followed the Uprising of the Estates interrupted the promising expansion of the town. The disaster was completed by a huge fire in 1646, which laid waste most of the town's buildings. Paradoxically, Pelhřimov should be grateful to the fires because they contributed to the town' homogeneity. Another devastating fire ravaged the town in 1766 – thanks to it the town houses are uniformly Renaissance-Baroque.

19th and 20th century history

The national revival affected Pelhřimov just as it affected all other towns in the country. Some of the patriotic associations founded during that period continue their activities until today. The Záboj choir was founded in 1862, Sokol in 1865, the Readers' circle in 1874 and Rieger, an amateur dramatic group, in 1894. The salt house built in 1707 was reconstructed as the National House and is today the Pelhřimov theatre.

The 19th century brought an expansion of industry, principally brush-making, hosiery and the production of agricultural implements. In addition to these industries there was a continued tradition of brewing. Beer has been brewed in Pelhřimov since 1552, when the town was granted the privilege to do so. At first the brewery was located in two houses in Růžová street, on the site now occupied by the Secondary industrial school. In the 16th century a new brewery was built in the moat behind the deanery. The third brewery, which today brews beer called "Poutník", was built at the end of the 19th century in an area called Na Hradišti. This beer, of the lager type, is not pasteurized and contains no chemical additives.
Pelhřimov has been the birthplace of many notable personalities, such as the painter and engraver Vojtěch Benedikt Juhn, the sculptor and medallist Josef Šejnost, the historian Josef Dobiáš and Dean František Bernard Vaněk. The town also had many enthusiasts working for the protection of historical monuments. The Museum association was set up in 1901 and ten years later a local branch of the Club for old Prague. Thanks to their activities Pelhřimov preserved its exceptional aspect despite the loss of some outstanding landmarks such as the butcher's hall, the synagogue in Rúžová street or a Baroque granary. Pelhřimov preserved, however, some sections of the ramparts, including two huge Gothic gates, which together with the town houses of local burghers, the castle of the lords of Říčany, the theatre and the church form the town's historical reserve.

Legend of the founding of Pelhřimov

There exist, in fact, several legends about the founding of Pelhřimov. The following legend is one of many, which people passed on from generation to generations. The only fact, backed by written documents, is that in the years 1224–1225 the Prague bishop was Pelhřim (Peregrinus) of Wartenberg.

According to one legend bishop Peregrinus his way to Rome in 1225-1226 stopped by the spring Belka and was so captivated by the beautiful country that he founded there a town, to which he gave his name – Pelhřimov. To keep alive his memory local burghers put his silhouette into the town emblem.

Another known version of the legend goes as follows:
" A very long time ago a settlement was established on a hillock in the neighborhood. The view into the countryside was excellent, people in the settlement knew about everybody that travelled on the nearby trade road. Unfortunately, the settlement suffered was pestered by frequent unpleasant winds, and the people had to travel long distances to the plain to fetch building material. And, water was scarce on the hillock. One day people from the settlement descended into the valley of the river Bělá and there, in the shade of a tree, they saw a man. „Who are you, pilgrim?“ they asked him. „I am bishop Peregrinus on my way to Rome. And who are you, what are you doing here?“ he answered. The people from the settlement told him about the construction of the settlement and of the difficulties they were encountering. The bishop retorted: „Why don't you build the settlement right here? There is water, wood and fertile soil.“ Many settlers then began building again in the new place, in the valley. Later, when they talked about the name for their new town, they remembered the pilgrim's wise advice and in his honor called the town Pelhřimov."

Chateau of the Lords of Ricany

We do not know much about the chateau in the earliest stages. Originally, it might have been a Gothic construction of a tower-like character probably from the 15th century. Some remnants have been preserved in the so-called Gothic Hall on the ground floor of the chateau, showing that this object used to be part of the municipal fortification system. New parts were added to the oldest one in 1550–1551, when Pelhřimov was in possession of Adam Říčanský of Ricany. After the great fire of 1561 this part of the chateau was incorporated in the extensive Renaissance reconstruction comprising two storeys. After the fire of 1682 significant adaptations in the Baroque style began. The adaptations also involved the Salt Gate, and a new staircase and the jail were added. In 1707 a salt-house was built in the immediate vicinity of the chateau (nowadays the Municipal Theatre). The great fire of 1766 destroyed the chateau, too. After the reconstruction which was begun the next year, the chateau gained its appearance which has survived in its original form (with the exception of some minor decorative alterations) up to this day. Between the years 1849 and 1907 it was the seat of the District Court, since 1908 it has housed exhibitions of the District Museum.

Church of St Bartholomew

Gothic building was founded in the late 13th or the beginning of the 14th century. Since 1589 the church exterior envelope decorated with graffiti. The main Baroque altar and beautiful Calvary designed by Frantisek Bilek is inside church.

St. Vitus Church

It is the oldest church in Pelhrimov and the former parish church. It was originally built in the Gothic style which may still be noticed in the presbytery. During the Hussite wars, in 1422, Pelhřimov got into the hands of the Taborites, and Utraquist masses were served here. The vaulting and walls in the interior of the church show scenes from the life and martyr’s death of St. Vitus as well as allegories of Faith, Hope and Love. Nowadays the church is used as an exhibition and concert hall.

Church of the Holy Cross (Calvary)

In 1671 the burgher and alderman Jan Kryštof Blažejovský and his spouse Dorota had a small chapel built near the town. The structure consisted of an ante-chapel, chapel and imitation of the Holy Sepulchre. In 1865 the town council decided to demolish the structure and build a new church. At that time Dean P. Vojtěch Holý had been gathering financial means for several years. The project by the local builder J. Štěcha was implemented between 1883 and 1886. The church built in the Neo-Gothic style faces the town with a high tower.

Chapel of Virgin Dolores

In 1658 the burgrave of Pelhřimov Jan Eusebius had a devotional pillar erected on this site. After Pelhřimov had experienced some cases of alleged miraculous healing accredited to the picture of Virgin Dolores placed on the pillar, a chapel was built on its site by burgher Tobiáš Grötzel in 1710-1714. The pilgrimage site was withdrawn in the reign of Josephine. The crypt of the chapel used to be a burial place for members of burgher families. The town cemetery was transferred here from the Church of St Vitus in 1787 and was used up to 1906.

Lower (Jihlava) Gatehouse

The Gatehouse was built in the 16th century as part of the fortification system. It is a 5-storeyed construction, 36 metres high. In the gatehouse houses the Museum of Records and Curiosities, which was opened on June 30, 1994, as a unique institution of this kind in Central Europe and is run by the "Dobrý den" Agency.

Upper (Rynarec) Gatehouse

Just like the Lower Gatehouse, the Upper Gatehouse was built in the 16th century. There were the path to Rynárec. The clock was installed the end of the 17th century.

Fountain with the statue of St. James

The fountain in the square was first mentioned in 1546. The present-day appearance of the fountain dates back to the year 1848. On top of the capital stands a statue of St. James in a pilgrim’s vesture decorated with shells and with a hat.

Municipal Theatre

The purpose of the original building from 1707 was a salt-house. In 1766 it burned down during a great fire and the salt-house was moved to the granary. In 1882 a foundation was established to build the town theatre (The National House).

House of the Srejnar Family

The north-western tip of the square is dominated by house No 10 called after the rich merchant Krystof Srejnar. The house was built in 1614 in the Renaissance style. Currently, there are touristic information center and Memorial Hall of Lipský Family.

Fara House

This house has Baroque facade and a mansard roof. In 1913-1914 it was rebuilt under a project by the well-known Prague architect Pavel Janak in the Cubist style.

Drechsel´s Villa

It was built in the Cubist style in 1912–1913 by the local builder Karel Postránecký under the project of architect Pavel Janák for his counsellor and district hetman Jan Drechsel.

Ruins of St. Anna

Chapel was founded in 1699 and originally was dedicated to the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Under the communist regime was demolished, now therea are just perimeter walls.

Population Development

Year	1869	1900	1930	1950	1970	1980	1991	2001
According to today's regional cities	8387	8894	10 259	9198	11 559	14 239	16 480	16 590
By then the city	3909	4727	6511	6475	9360	17 624	16 480	16 590
Only city Pelhřimov	3909	4727	6511	6475	9360	12 249	14 772	14 860

Present

Employment levels in Pelhřimov have not altered considerably since before the collapse of socialism.

In recent years, the local economy has been focused on tourism - there was founded Festival Records and curiosities, which was typical for Pelhrimov. Related to this is very popular Museum of Records and Curiosities, and also as the "Waterfront Records and curiosities" - modified waterfront trail along the river Bela with information panels to various interesting records. The trail begins at the Museum of Records and Curiosities, and ends at the House of good days, where the exposition of Czech Golden Hands - Unique features of the matches.

In Pelhřimov are a lot of buildings in different architectural styles, therefore there is the educated Trail of architectural styles.
Another exhibition in Pelhřimov are: Lookout tower, Museum of Bugaboos, Galerie M, Muzeum of Vysocina, Memorial Hall of Lipský Family, Church of st. Vitus, ...

Services

The town has numerous restaurants and accommodation facilities. The largest hotel is the Rekrea (since 2008 out of order - for the sale) in street Slovanského bratrství. Another major hotel Slavia is the Masaryk Square. There are also a few guest houses.
Theater is in the neoclassical building located in the Solní street. The only cinema in town - Vesmír is based on the třída Legií street. In 2008 there were renovations including the digitized 3D technology. Vesmír is currently the most modern cinema in the Highlands. For cultural activities can be used several halls of the house of Máj.
Sports equipment is good in Pelhřimov. Near the bus station we find a large sports complex with ice stadium, athletic track, football pitch, tennis courts and swimming pools (including indoor).
Education provides four primary schools (Komenského, Krásovy domky, Pražská a Osvobození), a special school, grammar school (founded 1871), business academy, hotel school, vocational secondary schools with boarding house and Secondary Schools.
You can obtain food by chain Kaufland, Lidl, Billa, Penny Market and traditional Jednota (tutte). Other types of goods can be purchased either in smaller shops, department store Highlands (Galeria Shopping), in a shopping center or in the Kaufland or Alfacentrum.

Economy

Pelhřimov is relatively important industrial center, represented by the food industry, engineering and consumer.
In Pelhřimov is food processing - especially crops grown and produced in the district. Škrobárny Pelhrimov processes potatoes (starch, animal feed and mash). Milk processing has branch of the South Bohemian Dairies is MADETA (Nádražní street - located in the same street like mill-site bakery and combine Adelka. In Pelhřimov is brewery called Poutník that produces unpasteurized beer.
In the field of engineering is most important Agrostroj (large firm in the south of the city). It manufactures farm machinery.
Traditional producer is the United kartáčovny SPOKAR which produces a wide range of card products from toothbrushes to brush.

Census 2001

• Population: 16 590
• Nationality:
  • Czech: 97,1 %
  • Slovak: 0,5 %
  • Ukrainian 0,4 %
  • Moravian: 0,2 %
• Religion: faithful : 41,2 %
• Economic activity: economically active: 8 853, of which:
  • Unemployed: 3,5 %
  • Employed in industry: 31,0 %
  • In education and health care: 14,4 %
  • In business: 9,8 %
  • Construction: 7,9 %
  • In public administration: 7,8 %

MVČR, 2007

• Population: 16 596, of which:
  • Proportion of males: 48,8 %
  • Proportion of children under 15 years: 13,9 %
• Average age: 39,6 years

Czech statistical office

31. 12. 2008

• Population: 16 741
  • Men 8 188
  • women 8 553
    • since 2008 population in the city increased by 131

Road transport

Pelhrimov lies at the intersection of two primary roads: I/19 Pilsen - Breznice - Tabor - Pelhřimov and I/34 Czech Budejovice - Jindrichuv Hradec - Pelhrimov - Humpolec - Brod - Svitavy. 15 km north of the city leads D1 - is there Humpolec exit 90.
Recently communication been built in the north of town allowing direct crossing the road I/19 I/34 without racking the city. In the 80 years, the city built four-lane through road, which today is a communication barrier as an unpleasant trip to the hospital.
Pelhřimov through two Class II. Class - II/112 and II/602. II/112 road leads from street Benes and Pelhřimov and direction of Telc and the Moravian Budejovice Trebic. II/602 road leading from Pelhřimov to Jihlava and in Brno.

Buses

The bus station is currently being modernized. Pelhrimov had extensive bus station from the times before 1989. In 2008 a new building was built. Information offices, waiting rooms and restrooms is located there. Simultaneously the reconstruction was there.
From Pelhřimov transport terminal, starts a large number of local bus services to most communities in the district. Almost all regional communications company serving ICOM transport.
Great importance are long-distance bus lines. These include routes linking Prague, Pelhřimov and also raised various cities in the Highlands. Another important direction of long-distance transmission lines, Brno - Jihlava - Tabor - Strakonice. The last major route is the connection of the eastern metropolis of South Bohemia - Czech Budejovice route - Hradec.

Rail transport

Rail shipping is not too important for Pelhrimov importance. The operation is on track Tábor - Horní Cerekev.
Railway Station Pelhrimov is located 1.5 km south of the railway station square on the street in an industrial part of town.

Urban bus services

Urban bus services are provided by ICOM transport Jihlava (Division Pelhrimov). There are 4 lines. Lines 1 and 3 provide the main transmission lines. Lines 2 and 4 are rather reinforce character.

Local part

Pelhrimov´s area of 95 km ² is one of the largest city of Republic. Since 80 years have been integrated villages communities, which are from the city and more than 10 km away.
The area of the city consists of 24 areas in four separate units.

Benátky
Bitětice
Čakovice
Hodějovice
Houserovka
Chvojnov
Janovice
Jelcovy Lhotky
Kocourovy Lhotky
Lešov
Lipice
Myslotín
Nemojov
Ostrovec
Pejškov
Pelhřimov
Pobistrýce
Radětín
Radňov
Rybníček
Skrýšov
Služátky
Starý Pelhřimov
Strměchy
Útěchovičky
Vlásenice-Drbohlavy
Vlásenice

Curiosity

Thanks to academics Josef Dobias Pelhrimov is one of the few towns with the most detailed treatment of history.
In the past Pelhřimov intimately associated with the pilgrimage site Kremesnik, once one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Holy Trinity in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Pelhřimov is universally known thanks to Rudolph Hrušínský saying from the movie Vesničko má středisková: "Go to Pelhřimov, examine the crematorium, whether you know what you're going to." In Pelhřimov never been any real crematorium, the closest is in Jihlava.

City Personalities

• Mikuláš from Pelhřimova (about 1385 – about 1459), theologian, preacher, writer, Tábor bischop
• Vojtěch Benedikt Juhn (1779 – 1843), painter
• Edvard Jan Brynych (1846 - 1902), 19. Bishop of Hradec Králové (1892–1902)
• Josef Rejsek (1860 – 1932), painter
• Emanuel Julian Kodet (1880 – 1954), sculptor
• Josef Dobiáš
  Josef Dobiáš
  Josef Dobiáš was a Czech chess player.At the beginning of his career, he took 5th at Prague 1908 , tied for 4-5th at Pilsen 1911, tied for 5-7th at Breslau 1912 , took 6th at 1913 Jungbunzlau 1913 , and took 8th at Böhmisch Trübau...
  
   (1888 – 1970), historian and classical philologist, member of the Academy of Sciences
• Simonetta Buonaccini (1893 – 1935), poet
• Lubomír Lipský
  Lubomír Lipský
  Lubomír Lipský is a famous Czech actor, brother of director Oldřich Lipský.-Filmography:* V horách duní * Premiera * Červená ještěrka * Železný dědek * Zrcadlo...
  
   (* 1923), actor
• Jiří Lír (1923 - 1995), actor
• Oldřich Lipský (1924 – 1986), film director and screenwriter
• Dušan Tomášek (* 1924), journalist, columnist and nonfiction writer
• Marie Hovorková (* 1927), actress
• Naděžda Kniplová
  Naděžda Kniplová
  Naděžda Kniplová is a Czech operatic soprano who had an active international career from the 1950s through the 1980s. Kniplová possessed a large voice with a sonorous, metallic, dark timbre that was particularly well suited to the dramatic soprano repertoire...
  
   (* 1932), the soprano soloist of the National Theatre and State Opera
• Olga Valeská (* 1941), writer
• František Vyskočil
  František Vyskočil
  František Vyskočil is a Czech neuroscientist and a Professor of Physiology and Neurobiology at Charles University.-Biography:Born in 1941 in Pelhřimov, Bohemia. In 1963 he graduated with honours from the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Prague and in later years obtained the title of...
  
   (* 1941), neurophysiologist
• Petr Fiala (* 1943), composer, choir director and musician
• Svatava Šlajchrtová (1954), poet
• Vratislav Kříž (* 1957), opera singer, soloist of the National Theater in Prague
• Jiří Černý (* 1961), art historian
• Jan Šmíd (* 1965), journalist and writer

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Lookout tower

From by-pass line of tower in 30 metres high is the great view on Pelhrimov and surrounding landscape.
In the top part of tower is enabled garret of sonorous with historic photographs of town Pelhrimov. On way to by-pass line we walk around pelhrim bells. They weigh over 4 tonnes together.
135 steps you can cope with „champion doe“ which visitors of tower brought up to altitude of 201.000 metres.

Museum of Bugaboos

A unique display of bugaboos occurring in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands in the past as well as at present. The exhibits are mostly made of wax and in life size. The Museum is to be found in the cellars of the former Burgrave´s House No. 17 in Masaryk Square.

Museum of Records

One of the few institutions of this kind on the Continent and the only one in Central Europe is housed in a historical gatehouse which in the past used to serve as part of the fortification of the town and was called Jihlavská brána (The Lower Gatehouse or Jihlava Gatehouse).

Thanks to collectors and makers of all possible and impossible things, an unrivalled collection unseen anywhere else in the world has been gathered in the five newly reconstructed storeys of the exhibition. Come and visit the world of mini-sized as well as giant objects, strong men and tumblers, makers of endless puzzles and dare-devils jumping to fall 80 metres deep.

Run by:
Agentura „Dobrý Den“
Nábřeží rekordů a kuriozit 811
393 01 Pelhrimov
Czech Republic
www.dobryden.cz

Golden Czech hands

Exhibition placed in “The House of Good Days” is unique in all the world. Tomáš Korda from Vrchlabí has spent 40 years of his life making these objects. During an unbelievable 63,310 hours of work he has made dozens of buildings using an incredible 820,215 matches and match-heads!

There is nothing similar to see in all the world!

Muzeum of Vysocina

Highlands Museum Pelhrimov focuses primarily on issues of regional history and ethnography.
The first part of the exhibition is devoted to two important personalities Šejnosta Joseph (art, sculptor and medal) and his son Zdenek Šejnosta (sculptor and restorer).
The second is aimed at middle class life in 19th century, culture, clothing, housing and social life.
The third section is devoted to the town hall and city jail.

Memorial Hall of Lipský Family

Pelhřimov has paid tribute to its famous natives by establishing the Commemoration Hall of the Lipský Family, which was set up in the ground-floor premises of house No. 10 (the so-called Šrejnarovský dům – House of the Šrejnar Family) in Masarykovo Square. Of the Lipský family most people remember especially Oldřich Lipský, the director, and his brother Lubomír, the actor, but a lot of work for the theatre and television has also been done by other members of this famous dynasty of artists.
The exhibition is divided into three parts. The first one gives information about the Lipský brothers´ lives and work. The second part of the exhibition is devoted to movie-making, you will visit a cinema where you can see a cut of the Lipský brothers´ best-known movie scenes. The third part is named after the film “Velká filmová loupež (The Great Film Robbery) “ made by O. Lipský. It is similar to the film in the way you can enter the stories of the most famous films by the Lipský brothers.

This projects has been realised with financial help from the Vysočina Fund.

Literature

• ČERNÝ, Jiří: Pelhřimov. The image of the architecture of the 19th and 20 century Pelhrimov 1996th
• DOBIÁŠ, Josef: History Pelhřimov royal city and its surroundings, cargo Musejního league in Pelhřimov 1927th
• WIRTH, Zdeněk - POLESNÝ, Karel: Pelhřimov, Pelhřimov 1911

External links

• Municipal website (cz)
• Pelhrimov QTVR Fullscreen virtual tour
• District court Pelhřimov