About České Budějovice
České Budějovice was founded in 1265 by the Czech king Přemysl Otakar II. on the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers. Thanks to the king’s favour and advantageous location on business routes, the town’s economics rapidly grew, soon becoming the business and trade centre of the whole region.
The town accomplished its largest boom in the 16th century, particularly due to vast silver mining in surrounding mine-pits and profits in the town treasury from the brewing trade, fishpond management and salt trade. Only fires, Black Death epidemics, wars and political instabilities have disturbed the economic development of the town.
In the 19th century, the trade and industry development was encouraged by the construction of horse-drawn railway - first in Europe, leading from České Budějovice to Linz. Important factories were established at that time, which are still in operation today, such as Hardtmuth or Budvar brewery.
Throughout its development, České Budějovice grew into a real economic as well as cultural capital of the Southern Bohemia.
