Rudolfov

Rudolfov (Czech pronunciation: [ˈrudolfof]; German: Rudolfstadt) is a town in České Budějovice District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,600 inhabitants.

Rudolfov
Town
Church of Saint Vitus
Flag Coat of arms
Rudolfov Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 48°59′36″N 14°32′30″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	South Bohemian
District	České Budějovice
First mentioned	1570
Government
• Mayor	Vít Kavalír
Area
• Total	3.19 km2 (1.23 sq mi)
Elevation	480 m (1,570 ft)
Population  (2025-01-01)[1]
• Total	2,587
• Density	810/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	373 71
Website	www.mestorudolfov.cz

Administrative division

Rudolfov consists of two municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):^[2]

• Rudolfov (2,301)
• Hlinsko (188)

Hlinsko forms an exclave of the municipal territory.

Etymology

The name is derived from the personal name Rudolf, meaning "Rudolf's (town)".^[3]

Geography

Rudolfov is located about 4 kilometres (2 mi) east of České Budějovice. It lies in the Třeboň Basin. The highest point is at 555 m (1,821 ft) above sea level.

History

Rudolfov in 1840 in a painting by Eduard Gurk

The first mention of silver mining in the area is from 1385.^[4] The first written mention of Rudolfov is from 1570.^[3] In the late 16th century, mining had become intense, and it was the most important silver mining area in Bohemia alongside Kutná Hora and Jáchymov. In 1585, the mining settlement was promoted to a royal mining town by Emperor Rudolf II.^[4]

As early as the end of the 16th century, there was a decline in mining due to problems with the drainage of flooded mines. In 1619, during the Bohemian Revolt, the town was looted. The destroyed town became a property of the city of České Budějovice in 1620. In 1623, Rudolfov was resettled. From 1656, it was referred to as a village. From 1720, it was a town again.^[5]

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 1,320 —     1880 1,403 +6.3% 1890 1,591 +13.4% 1900 1,623 +2.0% 1910 1,940 +19.5%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 2,096 +8.0% 1930 1,979 −5.6% 1950 1,926 −2.7% 1961 1,741 −9.6% 1970 1,877 +7.8%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 2,142 +14.1% 1991 2,303 +7.5% 2001 2,390 +3.8% 2011 2,418 +1.2% 2021 2,489 +2.9%
Source: Censuses[6][7]

Transport

There are no railways or major roads passing through the municipality.

Sights

Former town hall, now a museum

The main landmark is the Church of Saint Vitus. It was built as a Protestant temple in 1583. The second landmark is the building of the former mining office and until 2009 the town hall, with Renaissance decorations and a turret. Today it houses a small mining museum.^[4]

A monument is also a small Renaissance castle. Today the premises are used as offices.^[4]

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic

Rudolfov is twinned with:^[8]

• Sandl, Austria