Zvěstov

Zvěstov is a municipality and village in Benešov District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 400 inhabitants.

Administrative parts
The villages and hamlets of Bořkovice, Hlohov, Laby, Libouň, Ondřejovec, Otradov, Roudný, Šlapánov, Vestec and Vlastišov are administrative parts of Zvěstov.

Etymology
The name is derived from the personal name Zvěst.

Geography
Zvěstov is located about 18 km southeast of Benešov and 49 km southeast of Prague. It lies in the Vlašim Uplands. The highest point is the hill Vinná hora at 543 m above sea level.

History
The first written mention of Zvěstov is from 1383. Existence of the local fortress was first documented in 1443.

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

Sights
The most important monument is the Church of Saint Wenceslaus in Libouň. It is a small church with a Romanesque rotunda from the first half of the 13th century.

The old fortress was rebuilt into a Renaissance castle in the late 16th century. Part of the Renaissance sgraffito on the façade has been preserved. Today the castle is dilapidated and unused.