Přebuz

Přebuz (German: Frühbuß) is a town in Sokolov District in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. It is the smallest town in the Czech Republic by population, which was 70 inhabitants as of 2025. Before World War II, it was a mining town with 3,000 inhabitants.

Přebuz
Town
Centre of Přebuz
Coat of arms
Přebuz Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°23′12″N 12°37′40″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Karlovy Vary
District	Sokolov
First mentioned	1542
Government
• Mayor	Martin Bruoth
Area
• Total	29.77 km2 (11.49 sq mi)
Elevation	886 m (2,907 ft)
Population  (2025-01-01)[1]
• Total	70
• Density	2.4/km2 (6.1/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	357 06
Website	www.prebuz.cz

Etymology

The name is probably derived from the Czech name Přebud, meaning "Přebud's (court)". The German name was probably derived from the Czech one.^[2]

Geography

Přebuz is located about 21 kilometres (13 mi) north of Sokolov and 22 km (14 mi) northwest of Karlovy Vary. It lies on the border with Germany, in the western part of the Ore Mountains. The highest point is the mountain Čertova hora at 987 m (3,238 ft) above sea level. The Rolava River originates in the municipal territory.

History

View of Přebuz

The foundation of Přebuz is connected with rich finds of tin ore. According to its chronicle from 1836, Přebuz was founded in 1347 by German colonizers. Although this date is unconfirmed, it is considered probable. The first written mention of Přebuz is from 1542. In 1553, Přebuz gained status and rights of a mining town.^[3]

Before World War II, the town had about 3,000 inhabitants. From 1938 to 1945, Přebuz was annexed by Nazi Germany and administered as part of the Reichsgau Sudetenland. After the war, the population has decreased significantly because of expulsion of Germans and termination of mining.^[3]

Demographics

Přebuz is by far the least populous municipality with the town status in the Czech Republic.^[4]

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 2,894 —     1880 2,850 −1.5% 1890 2,982 +4.6% 1900 3,104 +4.1% 1910 3,264 +5.2%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 2,837 −13.1% 1930 2,771 −2.3% 1950 163 −94.1% 1961 202 +23.9% 1970 115 −43.1%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 100 −13.0% 1991 56 −44.0% 2001 73 +30.4% 2011 69 −5.5% 2021 64 −7.2%
Source: Censuses[5][6]

Transport

There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipal territory.

Sights

Church of Saint Bartholomew

The main landmark of Přebuz is the Church of Saint Bartholomew. It is originally a Gothic church from the end of the 14th century, rebuilt in the Baroque style around 1775.^[7]