Velešín

Velešín (Weleschin) is a town in Český Krumlov District the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,900 inhabitants.

Administrative parts
The villages of Bor, Chodeč, Holkov and Skřidla are administrative parts of Velešín.

Geography
Velešín is located about 10 km east of Český Krumlov and 15 km south of České Budějovice. It lies in the Gratzen Foothills. The highest point is at 573 m above sea level. The town is situated on the shore of the Římov Reservoir, built on the Malše River.

History
The first written mention of Velešín is from 1266, when the local castle was documented. The castle and the settlement were probably founded in the 13th century. From 1387 until 1611, Velešín was a property of the Rosenberg family. During this era, the village was promoted to a market town. The originally separate estate was merged with the Nové Hrady estate, and the importance of the castle declined. In the 1480s, the castle was abandoned, and gradually fell into disrepair.

After death of Peter Vok of Rosenberg in 1611, Velešín was inherited by Jan Jiří of Schwamberg, but after the Bohemian Revolt, his properties were confiscated and Velešín was acquired by Charles Bonaventure, Count of Bucquoy. The Bucquoys owned Velešín until 1848.

Transport
The I/3 road (part of the European route E55), specifically the section from České Budějovice to the Czech-Austrian border in Dolní Dvořiště, runs through the town.

Sights
Among the main landmarks of the town is the Church of Saint Wenceslaus. It was built in the Gothic style in the mid-13th century. Significant Baroque modifications were made in 1751–1754.

The former Church of Saints Philip and James was built at the end of the 15th century and abolished in 1785. Today there is a museum and apartments in its premises. It is a unique example of the use of an abandoned church building.

North of the town there are remnants of the Budweis–Linz Horse-Drawn Railway, including one bridge. An educational trail leads around the remnants.

Notable people

 * Franciszek Krajowski (1861–1932), military officer