Prácheňsko
Prácheňsko is a historical and cultural region in the Czech Republic, covering roughly the Otava River basin, mostly in the northwest part of South Bohemia. It was an administrative region in southwestern Bohemia, created in the late 13th century and abolished by the Austrian Empire's regional reform of 1848.Description
Its boundaries extended through the Bohemian Forest in the south, towards Budweis to the north, close to the town of Příbram, and southwest to Markt Eisenstein. Ethnic groups of the region included Czechs, Germans, Jews and Romani, and by religion were Roman Catholics, Protestants and Jews. Today this region is divided among three districts, namely South Bohemia, Plzeň Region and Central Bohemia. Its capital city was Písek, now a major town of approximately 30,000 inhabitants.
The first region′s centre, Prácheň gord, is now overtaken by forest. Its remains lie close to the town of Horažďovice. The local dialect of the western part is still extant as is the use of the bagpipe in the music of the region. The main geographical feature of the Prachens region is the river Otava. Principal towns of the former Prachens were Písek, Strakonice, Sušice, Rožmitál, Vimperk, Horní Planá, Železná Ruda, Kasejovice, Protivín and Horažďovice.Demographics
The current population of the region is approximately 200,000 to 250,000 inhabitants. The area suffered serious population losses because of the Expulsion of Germans after World War II and because of the Holocaust. Today the Jewish population is negligible and there is no active synagogue.
A unique dialect of the Czech language with a large number of German loan words is spoken in the western part of the region.
