Horšovský Týn is a town in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 5,000 inhabitants. It lies on the River Radbuza, some 40 km (25 mi) south-west of the region capital Plzeň.

History

A settlement on the right bank of the Radbuza river was first established in the mid-13th century, on land owned by the archbishops of Prague. The town was besieged and defended during the Hussite wars between 1422 and 1431. The German Elector John, Count Palatine of Neumarkt (Johann von Pfalz-Neumarkt) helped relieve the town.

After the death of Louis II of Hungary at the Battle of Mohács in 1526, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria became King of Bohemia and the country became a constituent state of the Habsburg Monarchy to 1918.

After 1539 Bischofteinitz belonged to the House of Lobkowicz. After the Thirty Years War the town passed to the counts on Trauttmansdorff, in whose possession the castle remained until 1945. Bischofteinitz developed into an important, if minor, provincial centre bordering Bavaria.

During the late 19th century and especially after 1918 Czechs began moving into the district in large numbers. In 1938 the town and region were annexed into Nazi Germany as part of the Sudetenland. From 1938 to 1945 it was, as Bischofteinitz, one of the municipalities in Sudetenland.

Until 1945 the area was populated by native Germans who spoke a Northern Bavarian dialect (Nordbairisch). These people were expelled by the Beneš decrees following World War II. On 1 December 1930 Horšovský Týn had 3,117 inhabitants; on 17 May 1939 there were 2,995 inhabitants and on 22 May 1947 2,393 inhabitants.

Sights

The main attraction is a castle that was rebuilt in 1547 by Agostino Galli. Much of the original Gothic castle, the palace portals and some rooms have been preserved. In the town itself there are two Gothic churches and a former Capuchin monastery.

The most important buildings you can visit here include the Horšovský Týn State Castle and Chateau with a large chateau park and the Royal Gorge nature trail, the Church of St. Peter and Paul  on Republic Square with a lookout tower. Near the town there is a lookout tower on Šibeniční vrch. It is freely accessible all year round and provides a view of the city, the immediate surroundings and the zone of the Bohemian Forest and Šumava.

The most important cultural event of the city is the Anenská pilgrimage, which takes place every year at the end of July.

Office Hours:

Horšovský Týn Regional Information Center

Address: 5. května 50, 346 01 Horšovský Týn 

Tel .: +420 379 415 151

Fax: +420 379 415 152

Email:  info@mkzht.cz

Web:  http://www.mkzht.cz/cs/informacnicentrum/

Operator:  Municipal Cultural Facility Horšovský Týn, náměstí Republiky 105, 346 01 Horšovský Týn

Opening hours:

List of employees of the Horšovský Týn Municipal Office