Bítov (Znojmo District)

Bítov (Vöttau) is a municipality and village in Znojmo District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 100 inhabitants.

Geography
Bítov is located about 24 km northwest of Znojmo and 69 km southwest of Brno. It lies in the Jevišovice Uplands. The highest point is at 479 m above sea level. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Thaya and Želetavka. The Vranov Reservoir is built here on the Thaya River.

History
The first written mention of Bítov is in the foundation deed of the Stará Boleslav Chapter from 1046. History of the village is connected with the Bítov Castle, which was first mentioned in a deed from the 1060s. From 1307 to 1572, Bítov was a property of the Lichtenburk family. Among the next owners of Bítov were the noble families of Strein, Jankovský, Daun, Haugwitz, Radziwiłł and Haas.

Transport
There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipality.

Sights
Bítov is known for the Bítov Castle, one of the oldest castles in the country. It was probably founded by Bretislav I before 1055. Today it is owned by the state and offers guided tours. For its value, it is protected as a national cultural monument.

The Cornštejn Castle is located on the opposite bank of the Thaya River than the village and castle of Bítov. It is a ruin of a large Gothic castle, built at the end of the 13th century. After the Lichtenburk family died out in 1572, the castle was abandoned and fell into disrepair.

The main landmark of the village centre is the Church of Saint Wenceslaus. It was built in 1934–1935 and is an important example of pre-World War II sacral architecture.