Bouzov

Bouzov (Busau) is a municipality and village in Olomouc District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,600 inhabitants. It is known for the Bouzov Castle.

Administrative parts
The villages of Bezděkov, Blažov, Doly, Hvozdečko, Jeřmaň, Kadeřín, Kovářov, Kozov, Obectov, Olešnice, Podolí, Svojanov are administrative parts of Bouzov.

Etymology
The name is derived from the personal name Búz, who was the first documented owner of the village.

Geography
Bouzov is located about 27 km northwest of Olomouc. It lies in the Zábřeh Highlands. The highest point is the hill Holé vršky at 596 m above sea level. The Třebůvka River flows through the municipality.

History
The village was founded below the Bouzov Castle, which was built for protection of a trade route from Olomouc to Jevíčko. Until 1695, Bouzov was owned by various noble families, most notably by the Lords of Kunštát and Poděbrady. From 1695, the estate was a property of the Teutonic Order.

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

Sights
Bouzov is well known for the Bouzov Castle, which is a major tourist destination. Today the castle is owned by the state and offers guided tours. Since 1999, the castle has been protected as a national cultural monument.

The Church of Saint Gotthard is a Baroque building with a Gothic-Renaissance core. Originally it was a castle chapel.

Notable people

 * Hans Balatka (1827–1899), American conductor and composer