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Velké Bílovice

Coordinates: 48°50′57″N 16°53′32″E / 48.84917°N 16.89222°E / 48.84917; 16.89222
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Velké Bílovice
Town
Church of Virgin Mary's Birth
Church of Virgin Mary's Birth
Flag of Velké Bílovice
Flag
Coat of arms of Velké Bílovice
Coat of arms
CountryCzech Republic
Historical regionMoravia
RegionSouth Moravian Region
DistrictBřeclav District
First mentioned1306
Government
 • MayorMarie Vlková
Elevation
176 m (577 ft)
Population
 (1 January 2016)
 • Total
3,899[1]
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Websitewww.velkebilovice.cz
Chapel on the hill Hradištěk surrounded by vineyards.
Velké Bílovice viewed from the north from the hill Hradištěk. In the distance you can see the town Břeclav (10 km away).

Velké Bílovice (Czech pronunciation: [ˈvɛlkɛː ˈbiːlovɪtsɛ], historically in German: Groß Billowitz) is a town in the Czech Republic. It is a part of the Břeclav District in the South Moravian Region and is located about 45 km southeast of Brno and 80 km northeast of Vienna. It has a population of about 3,900 (2016). Its more than 730 hectares of vineyards make it the largest grapevine-growing town in the Czech Republic.[2]

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,[3] cultivated grapevine and built many large wine cellars.[4]

At the beginning of the 20th century many citizens of Velké Bílovice migrated to Argentina, Canada and the United States.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6]

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 many 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 Baroque style.

Viticulture and winemaking - Velké Bílovice boasts more than 650 privately owned wine cellars[7] located in 40 named cellar streets[8] and more than 730 hectares of vineyards (the largest area in the Czech Republic).[2]

Culture and festivities

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

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, 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

Velké Bílovice from the northeast.
The road between the vineyards leading to the chapel.
Looking north, on the way to the chapel. In the distance you can see the village Vrbice.

References

  1. ^ "Population of municipalities of the Czech Republic on January 1, 2016".
  2. ^ a b Situation and Outlook Report - grapevine and wine - October 2015 Template:Cs icon
  3. ^ Billowitz Hutterite Colony (Moravia)
  4. ^ a b Official website of the town - History of Velké Bílovice Template:Cs icon
  5. ^ Official website of the town - Hutterite (Habánské) wine cellars Template:Cs icon
  6. ^ Town Museum of Velké Bílovice Template:Cs icon
  7. ^ Official website of the town - General Information Template:Cs icon
  8. ^ Winemakers Guild of Velké Bílovice - Cellar streets Template:Cs icon

48°50′57″N 16°53′32″E / 48.84917°N 16.89222°E / 48.84917; 16.89222

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