Dolní Kralovice

Dolní Kralovice is a municipality and village in Benešov District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 900 inhabitants.

Administrative parts
The villages of Martinice u Dolních Kralovic, Střítež, Vraždovy Lhotice and Zahrádčice and the territory of the extinct village of Libčice are administrative parts of Dolní Kralovice.

Geography
Dolní Kralovice is located about 38 km southeast of Benešov and 40 km northwest of Jihlava. It lies in the Křemešník Highlands. The highest point is at 536 m above sea level. The northern municipal border runs through the Švihov Reservoir, built on the Želivka River.

History
The first written mention of Dolní Kralovice is in an undated deed of Queen Świętosława of Poland from the end of the 11th century, when she donated the village to the Vyšehrad Chapter. It was a settlement of fishermen. The Vyšehrad Chapter owned the village until the Hussite Wars. In 1440–1547, Dolní Kralovice was a property of the Trčka of Lípa family. Then the village often changed hands and the owners were various lower noblemen.

At the end of the 17th century, Dolní Kralovice was bought by John Leopold, Prince of Trautson and Count of Falkenstein. He and his son Jan Vilém annexed several other villages to the estate. Jan Vilém then moved the administration of the estate from Čechtice to Dolní Kralovice. In 1766–1844, Dolní Kralovice was owned by Counts of Gundelfingen. From 1844 to 1942, the estate was a property of Counts of Auersperg.

In the years 1968–1974, the original Dolní Kralovice was demolished due to the construction of the Švihov Reservoir on the Želivka. A new village was founded near the reservoir, where some residents moved.

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

Sights
The most valuable building is the Vraždovy Lhotice Castle, located in Vraždovy Lhotice. It is a late Baroque building from the 18th century.