Velké Bílovice

History

The first written record of Velké Bílovice comes from 1306 but the area was settled much earlier. Houses of Liechtenstein and Žerotín were the most important owners in the history of Velké Bílovice. In the 16th century, group of Hutterites (Habáni) settled in the area, cultivated grapevine and built many large wine cellars.

At the beginning of the 20th century many citizens of Velké Bílovice migrated to Argentina, Canada and the United States.

Velké Bílovice was officially promoted to town status in 2001.

Places of interest

Hutterite (Habánské) wine cellars - the biggest one was built around 1614 and is located near the pond Velký Bílovec in the direction of Čejkovice. Its current owner is the company Habánské sklepy.

Town Museum - There you can find local folk costumes, many archaeological finds from the area, old farm tools and other interesting things associated with the history of the town.

Hill Hradištěk is a very visible local landmark. From the hill you can see not only the town but also many other nearby towns and villages and very many vineyards. Under good weather conditions you can also see monumental Pálava upland, wind farms in Austria and even distant White Carpathian mountains. On the hilltop there is a chapel which is consecrated to four saints: St. Urban (patron saint of winemakers), St. Wenceslas (patron saint of the Czech Lands) and St. Cyril and Methodius (patrons saint of Christianity in the Czech Lands).

Church of Virgin Mary's Birth was built in late Baroque style in 1764–1765.

Viticulture and winemaking - Velké Bílovice boasts more than 650 privately owned wine cellars located in 40 named cellar streets and more than 730 hectares of vineyards (the largest area in the Czech Republic).

Culture and festivities

“Hody” (the Feasts) is the most important folk festival in Velké Bílovice. It begins on the first Sunday after the Day of the Virgin Mary's Birth (September 8), patron saint of the local church, and continues till Tuesday. On the Saturday before the Feasts festive maypole is manually erected. The main celebration takes place on Sunday, when many visitors even from far away come to admire the folk costume parade, which is annually attended by more than 50 costumed couples. In 2017 the event takes place on Semptember 10, 11 and 12.
From wine cellar to wine cellar - During this event you can literally wander from one local wine cellar to another and taste plenty of different varieties of wines from many different winemakers. It is regularly held on Saturday at the turn of March and April. In 2017 the event takes place on April 1.
Wine exhibition - Wine tasting of wines made not only by local winemakers, but also winemakers from near and far away. It is regularly held in the local ''Kulturní dům'' (House of Culture) on Saturday at the turn of April and May. In 2017 the event takes place on May 6.

Surroundings

There are two ponds near Velké Bílovice, Šísary and Velký Bílovec, which are used mainly for fishing.

Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape - registered in the list of monuments protected as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Pálava - protected area and UNESCO biosphere reserve

Nové Mlýny reservoirs - have good conditions for fishing, yachting and windsurfing. On one of its islands you can find the church of St. Linhart (Leonard), which is the last remaining relic of the flooded village Mušov.

Transport

Southwest of the town runs the D2 motorway with exit Velké Bílovice and Podivín.

The nearest railway station is located 3 km away in Podivín.

Local government

Since 2006 the mayor is Marie Vlková (Union of Independents).

Notable people