Nová Bystrice
Encyclopedia
Nová Bystřice (ˈnovaː ˈbɪstr̝̊ɪtsɛ) is a town in the South Bohemian Region
of the Czech Republic
(WGS-84
coordinates N49°01'11", E15°06'02"). It has ca 3,400 inhabitants. The town lies on the border between Czech Republic and Austria
(close to Austria's most northern point).
The villages and hamlets of Albeř, Artolec, Blato, Hradiště, Hůrky, Klášter, Klenová, Nový Vojířov, Ovčárna, Senotín, Skalka and Smrčná are administrative parts of Nová Bystřice.
in 1420. It was rebuilt and since then it has been called Nová ("New") Bystřice. In July 1533 a group of religious reformers killed 40 Catholic monks, along with other Catholics, and destroyed the monastery. About one-third of the population emigrated to America after 1870.
During the cold war
, the Iron Curtain
garrison was located in the town. The neighbouring village of Mnich was abandoned and destroyed due to its vicinity to the border.
The presence of a border checkpoint is another important feature of the town, although heavy traffic is usually routed through other major checkpoints in Southern Bohemia.
is the traditional business activity, however the recent years saw a drop in the demand. Alma Nová Bystřice and Otavan factory finished its operations.
A substantial number of residents work in the agricultural industry. People working in technical and administrative sector usually commute to Jindřichův Hradec
. Increasing tourism is leading to the expansion of services (hotels, restaurants) in the town and is an important source of income, especially during summer months.
. During the tourist season, the trains are powered by historic steam engines and offer various entertainment.
The Monachus golf resort, situated on the town's southwestern edge, is a major attraction for golfers. It consists of 18-hole championship course and nine-hole public golf academy. The characteristic landscape of Czech Canada — hilly with many forests and meadows — is regarded as almost perfect for this game. The golf resort of Haugschlag (located in the neighbouring Austrian region of Waldviertel
) is a few hundreds meters away, over the national border.
Nová Bystřice is a frequent destination of cyclists; many biking routes pass through the town, offering almost all degrees of difficulty.
South Bohemian Region
South Bohemian Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located mostly in the southern part of its historical land of Bohemia, with a small part in southwestern Moravia...
of the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
(WGS-84
World Geodetic System
The World Geodetic System is a standard for use in cartography, geodesy, and navigation. It comprises a standard coordinate frame for the Earth, a standard spheroidal reference surface for raw altitude data, and a gravitational equipotential surface that defines the nominal sea level.The latest...
coordinates N49°01'11", E15°06'02"). It has ca 3,400 inhabitants. The town lies on the border between Czech Republic and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
(close to Austria's most northern point).
The villages and hamlets of Albeř, Artolec, Blato, Hradiště, Hůrky, Klášter, Klenová, Nový Vojířov, Ovčárna, Senotín, Skalka and Smrčná are administrative parts of Nová Bystřice.
History
The first written mention of Nová Bystřice was in 1175: the area was colonized by knights. Before that, there was a Slavic population (as evidenced by a Slavic burial ground). In 1276 it became the personal dominion of Jitka (Guty) von Habsburg, who was later the Czech Queen. In 1341 Bystřice was promoted to city status. During the reign of John the Blind it became a market town. Around the same time it suffered from great famine. The town was burned down by Jan ŽižkaJan Žižka
Jan Žižka z Trocnova a Kalicha , Czech general and Hussite leader, follower of Jan Hus, was born at small village Trocnov in Bohemia, into a gentried family. He was nicknamed "One-eyed Žižka"...
in 1420. It was rebuilt and since then it has been called Nová ("New") Bystřice. In July 1533 a group of religious reformers killed 40 Catholic monks, along with other Catholics, and destroyed the monastery. About one-third of the population emigrated to America after 1870.
During the cold war
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, the Iron Curtain
Iron Curtain
The concept of the Iron Curtain symbolized the ideological fighting and physical boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II in 1945 until the end of the Cold War in 1989...
garrison was located in the town. The neighbouring village of Mnich was abandoned and destroyed due to its vicinity to the border.
Present
The nature park informally called Czech Canada is attractive and the number of inhabitants, as well as seasonal visitors, is growing. Major accommodation development projects are under way.The presence of a border checkpoint is another important feature of the town, although heavy traffic is usually routed through other major checkpoints in Southern Bohemia.
Industry
Textile industryTextile industry
The textile industry is primarily concerned with the production of yarn, and cloth and the subsequent design or manufacture of clothing and their distribution. The raw material may be natural, or synthetic using products of the chemical industry....
is the traditional business activity, however the recent years saw a drop in the demand. Alma Nová Bystřice and Otavan factory finished its operations.
A substantial number of residents work in the agricultural industry. People working in technical and administrative sector usually commute to Jindřichův Hradec
Jindrichuv Hradec
Jindřichův Hradec is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has approximately 22,700 inhabitants.- History :The first written mention of the town is in 1220. Before that, it was probably a Slavic settlement. At the end of the 12th century more people arrived...
. Increasing tourism is leading to the expansion of services (hotels, restaurants) in the town and is an important source of income, especially during summer months.
Tourist attractions
Nová Bystřice is the endpoint of a privately operated narrow gauge railroad to Jindřichův HradecJindrichuv Hradec
Jindřichův Hradec is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has approximately 22,700 inhabitants.- History :The first written mention of the town is in 1220. Before that, it was probably a Slavic settlement. At the end of the 12th century more people arrived...
. During the tourist season, the trains are powered by historic steam engines and offer various entertainment.
The Monachus golf resort, situated on the town's southwestern edge, is a major attraction for golfers. It consists of 18-hole championship course and nine-hole public golf academy. The characteristic landscape of Czech Canada — hilly with many forests and meadows — is regarded as almost perfect for this game. The golf resort of Haugschlag (located in the neighbouring Austrian region of Waldviertel
Waldviertel
The Waldviertel is the northwestern region of the Austrian state Lower Austria. It is bounded to the south by the Danube, to the southwest by Upper Austria, to the northwest and the north by the Czech Republic and to the east by the Manhartsberg , which is the survey point dividing Waldviertel...
) is a few hundreds meters away, over the national border.
Nová Bystřice is a frequent destination of cyclists; many biking routes pass through the town, offering almost all degrees of difficulty.