Bečov nad Teplou

Bečov nad Teplou (Petschau) is a town in Karlovy Vary District in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 900 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as urban monument zone.

Administrative parts
The villages of Krásný Jez and Vodná are administrative parts of Bečov nad Teplou. Krásný Jez forms an exclave of the municipal territory.

Geography
Bečov nad Teplou is located about 16 km south of Karlovy Vary. It lies in the Slavkov Forest. The highest point is the Besídka hill at 713 m above sea level. The Teplá River flows through the town.

History
The first written mention of the Bečov Castle is from 1317. It was founded by the Lords of Rýzmburk. The settlement of Bečov was first mentioned in 1387. In 1399, it was promoted to a town.

Transport
The I/20 road (part of the European route E49) from Plzeň to Karlovy Vary passes through Bečov nad Teplou.

Bečov nad Teplou is located on the regional railway line from Karlovy Vary to Mariánské Lázně. It is also the starting point of the lines to Rakovník and to Žlutice.

Sights
Bečov nad Teplou is known for the complex of Bečov Castle and Bečov Chateau. The complex is open to the public and offers guided tours. The exposition contains the second most valuable movable monument in the Czech Republic, the Reliquary of St. Maurus.

The Church of Saint George was built in the late Baroque style in 1763–1767. The tower was finished in 1885.

A notable landmark is the late Baroque town hall. It dates from 1760.

Notable people

 * August Labitzky (1832–1903), composer and kapellmeister

Twin towns – sister cities
Bečov nad Teplou is twinned with:
 * 🇩🇪 Eschenburg, Germany