Kájov (German: Gojau) is a municipality and village in Český Krumlov District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,000 inhabitants.
Kájov | |
|---|---|
 Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Kájov Location in the Czech Republic | |
| Coordinates: 48°48′39″N 14°15′31″E / 48.81083°N 14.25861°E | |
| Country |  Czech Republic |
| Region | South Bohemian |
| District | Český Krumlov |
| First mentioned | 1263 |
| Area | |
• Total | 49.92 km2 (19.27 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 540 m (1,770 ft) |
| Population (2024-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 1,996 |
| • Density | 40/km2 (100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 382 21 |
| Website | www |
Administrative parts
editThe villages of Boletice, Kladenské Rovné, Kladné, Křenov, Lazec, Mezipotočí, Novosedly, Přelštice and Staré Dobrkovice are administrative parts of Kájov.
Etymology
editThe name is derived from the personal name Kája, meaning "Kája's (court)".[2]
Geography
editKájov is located about 4 kilometres (2 mi) west of Český Krumlov and 24 km (15 mi) southwest of České Budějovice. It lies in the Bohemian Forest Foothills. The highest point is near the top of the Kleť mountain at 1,074 m (3,524 ft) above sea level. The Polečnice Stream flows across the municipality. The village of Kájov is situated at its the confluence with the stream Chvalšinský potok. The northern part of the municipal territory lies within the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area.
History
editThe first written mention of Kájov, Kladné and Křenov is from 1263, when King Ottokar II donated them to the newly established monastery in Zlatá Koruna.[3] Other villages of the municipality were first documented between 1300 and 1470.[4] Kájov was a property of the monastery until 1785, when the monastery was abolished. From 1785, it belonged to the Český Krumlov estate.[5]
Demographics
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| Source: Censuses[6][7] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transport
editThe I/39 road (the section from Český Krumlov to Volary) passes through the municipality.
Kájov is located on the railway line České Budějovice–Nové Údolí.
Culture
editKájov is known for the tradition of Marian pilgrimages, which began here in the second half of the 17th century. During the first half of the 18th century, 40,000 people took part in the pilgrimage. The tradition of the pilgrimage continues to this day and is held every year in October.[3]
Sights
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The main landmark of Kájov and one of the most important historical monuments in the region is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It is a significant example of medieval sacral architecture. The church and rectory were founded between 1263 and 1340. In 1474–1485, the building of the church was replaced by the current one, built in the late Gothic style. Various modifications and extensions were made in the 17th century. The church stands out for its high artistic quality and stylistic purity. For its value, the complex of the church with the rectory is protected as a national cultural monument.[3][8]
The Church of Saint Nicholas is located in Boletice. It is originally a Romanesque church from the second half of the 12th century. Later it was rebuil in the Gothic and Renaissance styles, but Romanesque tower and perimeter walls of the nave were preserved to this day.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2024". Czech Statistical Office. 2024-05-17.
- ^ Profous, Antonín (1949). Místní jména v Čechách II: CH–L (in Czech). p. 182.
- ^ a b c "Historie Kájova je historií poutního místa" (in Czech). Obec Kájov. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ "Vývoj osídlení Kájova a okolních osad" (in Czech). Obec Kájov. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ "Vývoj názvu obce" (in Czech). Obec Kájov. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
- ^ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
- ^ "Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ "Kostel sv. Mikuláše" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
External links
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