Chlumčany (Plzeň-South District)

Chlumčany is a municipality and village in Plzeň-South District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,400 inhabitants.

Administrative parts
The village of Hradčany is an administrative part of Chlumčany.

Etymology
The name is derived from the word chlum, i.e. 'forested hill'. The word chlumčan denoted a person who lived on a chlum or near a chlum.

Geography
Chlumčany is located about 10 km south of Plzeň. It lies mostly in the Švihov Highlands, only the western part of the municipal territory extends into the Plasy Uplands. The highest point is at 470 m above sea level.

History
The first written mention of Chlumčany is from 1379. Until 1602, it was owned by various lower noble families. In 1602, Chlumčany was bought by the Wratislaw of Mitrovice family. From 1712 to the 1770s, it was owned by the Morzin family. The last noble owners of Chlumčany were the Schönborn family, who acquired the estate in 1794.

Transport
The R/27 road (the section from Plzeň to Klatovy, here part of the European route E53) passes through the eastern part of the municipal territory.

Chlumčany is located on the railway line Prague–Klatovy via Plzeň.

Sights
The main landmark of Chlumčany is the Chapel of Saint Mary of Help. It was built in the Baroque style in 1749–1751.

A technical monument is an Art Nouveau tower-shaped water tank. It dates from 1912. In addition to its technical function, it is considered an architecturally valuable building.