Přemysl Otakar II. Square

Přemysl Otakar II. Square (Czech: Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II.) is a square in České Budějovice in the Czech Republic. It is in the central public space in the historical city centre, named after the city's founder, Bohemian king Ottokar II (Czech: Přemysl Otakar II.). With an area of 17.968 ha (44.40 acres), it is the second largest square-shaped plaza in the Czech Republic after the square in Vysoké Mýto. History In earlier times, there were various names for the square; the name Main Square is recorded in writing. From 1915, the square bore the following names: from 4 June 1915: Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Platz (Emperor Franz Joseph Square') from 11 November 1918: Náměstí svobody ('Freedom Square') from 24 May 1934: Masarykovo náměstí ('Masaryk Square') during the 1939–1945 occupation: Adolf Hitler Platz ('Adolf Hitler Square') from 9 May 1945: Masarykovo náměstí from 26 September 1951: Žižkovo náměstí ('Žižka Square') from 1 January 1991: Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. ('Přemysl Otakar II. Square') The almost regular square area of the square has dimensions of about 133×133 m. It was laid out around the year 1265 by Hirzo and surrounding it about 8 m wide plots were marked out for the construction of houses for the townspeople. As time passed, the town square was paved over and a well and execution ground (on the place of which the Stray boulder now lies) were built. For some time, the meat shops also stood here before they were torn down by the order of Charles IV and relocated to the Krajinská street. In the first half of the 20th century, trams also ran on the far sides of the square. The Black Tower and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas are located near the northeastern corner of the square. Area of the square The square is almost perfectly square-shaped. The southern side has a length of 132.5 m (435 ft), the northern 137.4 m (451 ft), the eastern 134.1 m (440 ft) and the western 134 m (440 ft). In the middle of the square is an 80×80 m area paved with ceramic tiles from 1939, with a 10 m wide strip adjacent on each side, used, among other things, as a parking lot. This surface therefore covers an area of 9,954 m2 (107,140 sq ft) (not 1 hectare due to the rounded corners). The roadway throughout the square has an area of 5,122 m2 (55,130 sq ft) and four sections between the roadway and the arcade 2,892 m2 (31,130 sq ft). The total area of the square is 17,968 m2 (193,410 sq ft), which makes it is the second largest square-shaped plaza in the Czech Republic after the square in Vysoké Mýto. The square is located at an altitude of 370.0–370.5 m. According to other measurements, the area of the square is 18,208 m2 (195,990 sq ft). Features There are a total of 48 houses surrounding the square, 39 of which have an address on the square itself. The rest fall into the nearby streets. Stray boulder An c. 30 cm large rounded boulder with an engraved cross lies in the southeastern part of the square within the regular ceramic pavement. According to legend, an executioner's log used to stand on this spot. In 1470 or 1478, ten young men suspected of murdering a reeve were reportedly executed here. In 2010, a group of young men managed to dig up the boulder, they were caught in the act and arrested by the city police. Since then, for safety reasons, the boulder has been concreted in place. Samson's Fountain Today's dominant feature of the square, Samson's Fountain, was built in the 1720s in the middle of the square as part of the water supply system. On the southern corner of the western side of the square stands the City Hall, which was damaged by fires in 1641 and 1655. In 1727–1730, the new Baroque city hall was built by Anton Erhard Martinelli. Western side There are a total of 10 houses on the western side. In the southwest corner, the street Radniční enters the square from the west and Biskupská from the south. Northern side There are a total of 13 houses on the northern side. In the northwest corner, the street Piaristická enters the square from the west and Krajinská from the north. Eastern side There are a total of 13 houses on the eastern side. In the northeast corner, the street U Černé Věže enters the square from the north and Kanovnická from the east. Southern side There are a total of 13 houses on the southern side. In the southeast corner, the street Karla IV. enters the square from the east and Dr. Stejskala from the south. References Further reading Českobudějovické náměstí, aneb Samsonova kašna, Bludný kámen a 48 domů (in Czech). Milan Binder. 2007. ISBN 978-80-903636-5-6. External links Přemysla Otakara II. Square on the official tourist portal of České Budějovice