Frymburk (Český Krumlov District)

Geography

It is located in the on a peninsula on the left bank of the Lipno reservoir, near the border with Austria. As of 2005 it counted 1,321 citizens. The municipality comprises the villages of Blatná (Platten), Kovářov (Schmiedschlag) and Milná (Mühlneth) as well as the hamlets Moravice (Mörowitz), Náhlov (Nachles), Svatonina Lhota (Wadetschlag) and Vřesná (Haidberg).

History

Frymburk was first recorded in 1277, when it belonged to the Vítkovci lords of Český Krumlov; from their extinction in 1302 on it was property of the House of Rosenberg (the current coat of arms is derived from the Rosenberg arms). In 1379 Frymburk was awarded market rights by the Rosenbergs. Back then it was situated at a trade route from Austria to Bohemia and had now gained the right to charge a toll for the bridge across the river Vltava, which made Frymburk an economically important place in the region. From the 16th century on, Frymburk had its own brewery after Wilhelm von Rosenberg had granted brewery rights. In the late 16th century Frymburk had already 118 houses. In the mid-17th century during the 30 Years War the town was destroyed and burnt down by Swedish troops under Arvid Wittenberg. In 1676 Frymburk changed its lord once more and now belonged to the House of Buquoy. Another disaster occurred in 1856 when a fire destroyed the town square and 54 houses. Even in the late 19th century the town was still of import for the region, as could be seen by the installation of streets lights as early as 1881 and the introduction of a telegraph station in 1884.

Previously being part of a region populated with a majority Sudetendeustch up until 1945.

The Czech Government in exile demanded the expulsion of the Sudetendeutsche population from Czechoslovakia. This was both to punish them for their support and cooperation with the Nazi invasion and occupation as well as being seen as a way to avoid any repartition of German nationalism within Czechoslovakia in the future. This policy was formerly agreed at the Potsdam Conference in August 1945 but had already begun to be implemented in a sporadic and on occasions, violent manner, almost as soon as Czech control over the Sudetenland had been re-established. The majority German speaking population were forcibly removed after the War. The Town retains many Germanic architectural features and the town centre is a well-preserved example of a pre- War Sudeten town.

The most significant change at Frymburk occurred in 1959 when the Lipno dam was built and the reservoir was flooded, which submerged several buildings. Today Frymburk is mainly a resort town that is visited by scores of tourists each year. Attractions include the Šumava National Park and the Lipno reservoir. Therefore, many anglers, hikers and cyclists can be found here, as well as numerous ski tourists during the winter season.

Since 2007 Frymburk qualifies as a market town again.

Notable buildings

The most striking building in Frymburk is the church of St. Bartholomew. It was consecrated before 1277, the exact date is unknown. In 1530 it was re-built in a late Gothic style and had to be renovated from 1649 to 1652 due to the Swedish attack. Further works were carried out in 1735 and 1870. The interior is baroque.

Notable as well is Frymburk's central square which used to be the market square and was turned into a park after the great fire of 1856. Since the late 16th/early 17th century an artificial stream fed from the Podhorský stream flows right through the square. While the two streams were linked by a canal back then, the water is now led through a hose. In the square there is a well, which is presumed to date back to 1676 and is being fed from the stream. Furthermore, there is a pillory made of stone of about 5 m height with the inscription "1651". It replaced a wooden pillory that had been destroyed by the Swedes. The most obvious sight in the square though is the monument for Adalbert Stifter who frequently used to visit Frymburk because of his lover Fanny Greipl.

Coat of arms

The arms of Frymburk display a five-petaled rose with a golden centre and green leaves, set on a silver shield. It was very likely derived from the Rosenberg arms.

Notable residents