:Písek

Písek consists of nine municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):{{cite web |title=Public Census 2021 – basic data|url=https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4690&katalog=33475&pvo=SLD21043-CO|work=Public Database|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|language=cs|date=2022}}

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• Budějovické Předměstí (18,219)
• Hradiště (2,016)
• Pražské Předměstí (5,577)
• Václavské Předměstí (1,589)
• Vnitřní Město (1,036)
• Nový Dvůr (110)
• Purkratice (47)
• Semice (425)
• Smrkovice (590)

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The urban core is formed by Budějovické Předměstí, Hradiště, Pražské Předměstí, Václavské Předměstí and Vnitřní Město,

The name of Písek literally means "sand". It refers to the sand of the Otava River, which was panned for gold by the first settlers.{{cite web |title=Historie města|url=https://www.mesto-pisek.cz/historie-mesta/ds-1027|publisher=Město Písek|language=cs|access-date=2021-08-26}}

File:Písecko (2015).jpg

Písek is located about {{convert|42|km}} northwest of České Budějovice and {{convert|80|km|abbr=on}} south of Prague. Most of the municipal territory lies in the Tábor Uplands, but the southern part lies in the České Budějovice Basin. There are several steep streets and some suburbs lie more than 70–90 metres above the town centre. The eastern part of the territory, known as the Písecké hory Nature Park, is covered by deciduous woodlands mixed with high number of various coniferous trees. The highest point of Písek and of the nature park is Velký Mehelník with an altitude of {{convert|633|m|ft}}. The lowest point is located on the surface of the Otava at {{convert|350|m|ft|abbr=on}}.

The town is situated on both banks of the river Otava. In the municipal territory there are several brooks with many fish ponds. The largest of the ponds are Prostřední Putim and Stará Putim.

Písek have a milder and drier microclimate because it is well protected from all sides against winds. Písek enjoys a cool inland version of a humid continental climate (Dfb) with rather balanced temperatures year round and rare deep negative extremes. Lying in a rainshadow causes relatively low precipitations, vastly in form of rain (539 mm/annum).

Average round the clock temperatures in July stay on {{convert|18.8|°C|°F|abbr=on}} and January mean temperatures stay on {{convert|-0.9|°C|°F|abbr=on}}. The whole year average is {{convert|9.0|°C|°F|abbr=on}}. Extreme cold weather has reached -22.9 °C and extreme hot +42.0 °C.{{cite web |author=Jakub Wailguny|title=Meteorologická stanice SZEŠ Písek|url=http://czv.szespisek.cz/meteo/index.php?p=grafy|website=czv.szespisek.cz|access-date=2015-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707134817/http://czv.szespisek.cz/meteo/index.php?p=grafy|archive-date=2015-07-07|url-status=dead}} Písek falls into 7a zone according to USDA zoning with average year absolute minimal temperature at {{convert|-16.4|°C|°F|abbr=on}} and into AHS heat zone 4 with only 15 days annually with temperatures crossing {{convert|86|°F|°C|abbr=on}} – normal year has maximal temperature of {{convert|34.83|°C|°F|abbr=on}}. Nevertheless, number of days with at least {{convert|25|°C|°F|abbr=on}} is normally 56 per a year. Písek has typically great differences between daily minimal and maximal temperatures due to its position far inland.

{{Weather box

|location = Písek

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C= 15.1

|Feb record high C= 18.8

|Mar record high C= 24.6

|Apr record high C= 32.4

|May record high C= 33.3

|Jun record high C= 39.3

|Jul record high C= 42.0

|Aug record high C= 41.5

|Sep record high C= 38.3

|Oct record high C= 25.6

|Nov record high C= 20.6

|Dec record high C= 15.3

|year record high C= 42.0

|Jan record low C = −19.7

|Feb record low C = −22.9

|Mar record low C = -11.4

|Apr record low C = -5

|May record low C = -1.9

|Jun record low C = 2.4

|Jul record low C = 5.6

|Aug record low C = 3.8

|Sep record low C = -1.2

|Oct record low C = -4.4

|Nov record low C = -9.6

|Dec record low C = -18.1

|year record low C = -22.9

|Jan high C = 2.0

|Feb high C = 3.8

|Mar high C = 8.4

|Apr high C = 14.0

|May high C = 18.0

|Jun high C = 21.4

|Jul high C = 23.2

|Aug high C = 23.1

|Sep high C = 18.4

|Oct high C = 13.4

|Nov high C = 7.5

|Dec high C = 3.3

|year high C = 13

|Jan mean C = −0.9

|Feb mean C = 0.0

|Mar mean C = 3.8

|Apr mean C = 9.0

|May mean C = 13.5

|Jun mean C = 17.1

|Jul mean C = 18.8

|Aug mean C = 18.6

|Sep mean C = 14.1

|Oct mean C = 9.3

|Nov mean C = 4.3

|Dec mean C = 0.6

|year mean C = 9.0

|Jan low C = -3.8

|Feb low C = -3.5

|Mar low C = -0.6

|Apr low C = 3.7

|May low C = 8.3

|Jun low C = 12.1

|Jul low C = 13.9

|Aug low C = 13.7

|Sep low C = 9.8

|Oct low C = 5.5

|Nov low C = 1.4

|Dec low C = -2.0

|year low C = 4.9

|Jan precipitation mm = 45

|Feb precipitation mm = 36

|Mar precipitation mm = 53

|Apr precipitation mm = 47

|May precipitation mm = 73

|Jun precipitation mm = 82

|Jul precipitation mm = 89

|Aug precipitation mm = 79

|Sep precipitation mm = 62

|Oct precipitation mm = 50

|Nov precipitation mm = 48

|Dec precipitation mm = 46

|precipitation colour=green

|year precipitation mm = 710

|source 1 = {{cite web |title=Climate: Písek|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/58720/|publisher=Climate-Data.org|access-date=2024-01-04}}

|source 2 = {{cite web |title=Písek, Czech Republic|url=http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=49.306%2C14.164&sp=ICZPISEK2|publisher=Wunderground.com|access-date=2017-04-02}}}}

File:Písek, Staré město, Barokní domy.jpg

The predecessor of the town was a settlement of the area where gold was panned, which later became a market village with the royal court. In 1254, King Ottokar II founded here a royal town. During his reign, the town grew and its importance increased. A castle was built above the ford across the Otava river, a monastery was founded, and Písek Stone Bridge was built. Also, at the end of the 13th century, the mint was founded, later moved to Kutná Hora.

From 1308, Písek was a free imperial town, and in the 14th century, Písek became the administrative centre of Prácheňsko region. Under the rule of Charles IV, the salt and grain warehouses were founded, and were the largest in Bohemia. For centuries, the town of Písek was the holder of the largest urban estate in Bohemia, especially forests.

During the Hussite Wars, Písek was conquered by the Hussites and the monastery was razed. During the Thirty Years' War in 1619–1620, the town was conquered and most of its inhabitants killed by the army of Charles de Longueval, Count of Bucquoy. In 1623, Písek was acquired by the royal chamber again, and in 1641, it was once again promoted to a royal town. In the 18th century, it became the centre of Prácheňsko again.

In the 19th century, Písek became the centre of education because several schools of higher education were established here.

{{historical populations

|align=none|cols=3

|1869|10565

|1880|12156

|1890|12550

|1900|15313

|1910|17273

|1921|18094

|1930|18658

|1950|20560

|1961|21228

|1970|23713

|1980|28104

|1991|29550

|2001|29796

|2011|29706

|2021|29609

|source=Censuses{{cite web |title=Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011|url=https://csu.gov.cz/produkty/historicky-lexikon-obci-1869-az-2015|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|language=cs|date=2015-12-21}}{{cite web |title=Population Census 2021: Population by sex|url=https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4429&katalog=33515&pvo=SLD21001-OB-OK|work=Public Database|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|date=2021-03-27}}}}

File:16.8.15 MFF Pisek 001 (20621010072).jpg

There is the Industrial Zone Sever in Pražské Předměstí part of Písek. The largest industrial employers in Písek are S.N.O.P. CZ, Aisin Europe Manufacturing Czech, and Faurecia Components Písek, all three engaged in the production of automotive parts. Other large town's employer is the Písek Hospital.

Písek is connected by the D4 motorway to Prague and by the I/20 and I/29 roads. The I/20 travels northwest to Plzeň and southeast to České Budějovice, while the I/29 travels east to Tábor.

Písek railway station lies on the Zdice–Protivín and Tábor–Ražice rail lines.

Písek is colloquially called "South Bohemian Athens", because it has many high schools and schools of higher education, including the Film School in Písek.{{cite web |title=Interesting facts about Písek|url=https://www.pisek.eu/en/points-of-interest/interesting-facts-about-pisek/|publisher=Tourist Information Centre Písek|access-date=2023-06-05}}

Since 2007, there has been a tradition of creating and exhibiting giant sand sculptures on the waterfront of the Otava River in the summer. Each year a different theme is chosen for the sculptures.{{cite web |title=Sochy z písku v Písku 2022|url=https://www.pisek.eu/cs/aktualne/sochy-z-psku-v-psku-2022/|publisher=Město Písek|language=cs|access-date=2022-08-30}}{{cite web |title=Obří sochy z písku znovu vyrostou v Písku|url=https://www.piskoviste.info/cz/obri-sochy-z-pisku-znovu-vyrostou-v-pisku/14/|work=Pískoviště.cz|publisher=Město Písek|language=cs|access-date=2022-08-30}}

File:Pisek Alsovo namesti.jpg

File:Kamenný most v Písku 05.jpg

Písek has a well-preserved, medieval centre formed by larger Velké Square and small Alešovo Square with number of narrow alleys. The most valuable monument is Písek Stone Bridge, a national cultural monument. It was the second stone bridge in Bohemia and it is the oldest preserved bridge in country. It is also one of the oldest preserved bridges in whole Europe.

There are six churches in Písek, four of them in the town centre. One of the town's main landmarks is the Deanery Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary from the mid-13th century, old as the town itself. The church tower is open to the public and serves as a lookout tower.{{cite web |title=Deanery Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary|url=https://www.pisek.eu/en/points-of-interest/sacral-spaces/deanery-church/|publisher=Tourist Information Centre Písek|access-date=2021-08-26}}

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is located on the central square commemorates the former Dominican Monastery destroyed by Hussites in 1419.{{cite web |title=Church of the Erection of the Holy Cross|url=https://www.pisek.eu/en/points-of-interest/sacral-spaces/monastery-church/|publisher=Tourist Information Centre Písek|access-date=2021-08-26}}

The Church of Saint Wenceslaus is located in Václavské Předměstí part of Písek. Existence of a sacral building in the area is documented already in around 1200, Church of Saint Wenceslaus was first mentioned in 1378. The original church was demolished in the mid-16th century and a new Gothic-Renaissance church was built on its foundations. In 1695–1697, it was rebuilt into the Baroque style. Today it is known for the unique fresco of Jan Hus being burned in Konstanz from around 1550, the oldest painting of his burning in the world.{{cite web |title=Church of St. Wenceslas|url=https://www.pisek.eu/en/points-of-interest/sacral-spaces/church-of-st-wenceslas/|publisher=Tourist Information Centre Písek|access-date=2021-08-26}}

The Písek Castle is a partly preserved Gothic castle, rebuilt into the town hall and a brewery. It also houses the Prácheňsko Museum, part of its exhibition is a preserved Gothic hall from the 13th century.{{cite web |title=Hrad Písek|url=https://www.hrady.cz/hrad-pisek-prachenske-muzeum|publisher=Hrady.cz|language=cs|access-date=2021-08-26}}

There are several preserved remains of the town fortifications in Písek, including two castle bastions and fragments of the town walls.{{cite web |title=Town walls|url=https://www.pisek.eu/en/points-of-interest/urban-architecture/town-walls/|publisher=Tourist Information Centre Písek|access-date=2021-08-26}}

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• Adolf Heyduk (1835–1923), poet
• August Sedláček (1843–1926), historian
• Otakar Ševčík (1852–1934), violinist
• Josef Holeček (1853–1929), writer
• Fráňa Šrámek (1877–1952), writer and poet
• Jan Mukařovský (1891–1975), literature theorist
• John Juzek (1892 – {{circa|1965}}), merchant
• Ferdinand Hart (1893–1937), actor
• George Mraz (born 1944), bassist
• Kateřina Neumannová (born 1973), cross-country skier
• Tomáš Zíb (born 1976), tennis player
• Tomáš Verner (born 1986), figure skater
• Jan Rutta (born 1990), ice hockey player

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{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic}}

Písek is twinned with:{{cite web |title=Partnerská města|url=https://www.mesto-pisek.cz/partnerska-mesta/ds-1028|publisher=Město Písek|language=cs|access-date=2021-08-26}}

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• {{flagicon|WAL}} Caerphilly, Wales, United Kingdom
• {{flagicon|GER}} Deggendorf, Germany
• {{flagicon|DEN}} Lemvig, Denmark
• {{flagicon|LVA}} Smiltene, Latvia
• {{flagicon|SVK}} Veľký Krtíš, Slovakia
• {{flagicon|GER}} Wetzlar, Germany

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Písek also has friendly relations with Jičín in the Czech Republic and Bad Leonfelden in Austria.

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Písek}}

{{wikivoyage}}

• {{official website|https://www.mesto-pisek.cz/}}
• [https://pisek.eu/en/uvod/ Official tourist portal] {{in lang|en|cs|de}}
• [http://www.a-com.cz/kamera/ Online webcam in the centre of Písek]

{{Písek District}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pisek}}

Category:Cities and towns in the Czech Republic

Category:Populated places in Písek District

Category:Prácheňsko