Bečov nad Teplou

50°5′0″N 12°50′18″E / 50.08333°N 12.83833°E / 50.08333; 12.83833Country Czech RepublicRegionKarlovy VaryDistrictKarlovy VaryFirst mentioned1387Government • MayorMiroslav NeprašArea • Total19.82 km² (7.65 sq mi)Elevation532 m (1,745 ft)Population • Total935 • Density47/km² (120/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postal codeWebsitewww.becov.cz

Bečov nad Teplou (German: Petschau) is a town in Karlovy Vary District in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 900 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as urban monument zone.

Administrative parts

The villages of Krásný Jez and Vodná are administrative parts of Bečov nad Teplou. Krásný Jez forms an exclave of the municipal territory.

Geography

Bečov nad Teplou is located about 16 kilometres (10 mi) south of Karlovy Vary. It lies in the Slavkov Forest. The highest point is the Besídka hill at 713 m (2,339 ft) above sea level. The Teplá River flows through the town.

History

The first written mention of the Bečov Castle is from 1317. It was founded by the Lords of Rýzmburk. The settlement of Bečov was first mentioned in 1387. In 1399, it was promoted to a town.^[2]

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 2,905 —     1880 2,828 −2.7% 1890 2,729 −3.5% 1900 2,868 +5.1% 1910 2,809 −2.1%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 2,760 −1.7% 1930 2,853 +3.4% 1950 1,238 −56.6% 1961 1,512 +22.1% 1970 1,250 −17.3%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 1,138 −9.0% 1991 1,086 −4.6% 2001 1,002 −7.7% 2011 962 −4.0% 2021 909 −5.5%
Source: Censuses[3][4]

Transport

The I/20 road (part of the European route E49) from Plzeň to Karlovy Vary passes through Bečov nad Teplou.

Bečov nad Teplou is located on the regional railway line from Karlovy Vary to Mariánské Lázně. It is also the starting point of the lines to Rakovník and to Žlutice.^[5]

Sights

Bečov nad Teplou is known for the complex of Bečov Castle and Bečov Chateau. The complex is open to the public and offers guided tours.^[6] The exposition contains the second most valuable movable monument in the Czech Republic, the Reliquary of St. Maurus.^[7]

The Church of Saint George was built in the late Baroque style in 1763–1767. The tower was finished in 1885.^[8]

A notable landmark is the late Baroque town hall. It dates from 1760.^[9]

Notable people

• August Labitzky (1832–1903), composer and kapellmeister

Twin towns – sister cities

Bečov nad Teplou is twinned with:^[10]

• Eschenburg, Germany

Gallery

• 
  General view
• 
  Lower part of Bečov nad Teplou
• 
  Gate house of Bečov Castle
• 
  Railway station

References

External links