Hluboká nad Vltavou

Hluboká nad Vltavou
Town
Aerial view of Hluboká Castle and Vltava river
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Czech Republic
Region	South Bohemian
District	České Budějovice
Commune	České Budějovice
Municipality	Hluboká nad Vltavou
River	Vltava
Elevation	394 m (1,293 ft)
Coordinates	49°3′5″N 14°26′09″E / 49.05139°N 14.43583°E / 49.05139; 14.43583Coordinates: 49°3′5″N 14°26′09″E / 49.05139°N 14.43583°E / 49.05139; 14.43583
Area	91.12 km2 (35.18 sq mi)
Population	4,678
Density	51/km2 (132/sq mi)
Mayor	Tomáš Jirsa
Timezone	CET (UTC+1)
- summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	373 41
Location in the Czech Republic
Statistics: statnisprava.cz
Website: www.hluboka.cz

Hluboká nad Vltavou (Czech pronunciation: [ˈɦlubokaː ˈnadvl̩tavou̯]), until 1912: Podhrad, German: Frauenberg) is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic.

It is situated on the Vltava river, near České Budějovice. The town is known for the picturesque Tudor-style Hluboká Castle, that is open to the public. The Townshend International School has been based in the town since 1992.

Settled since the Bronze Age, the area was the site of medieval Froburg Castle, built high above the Vltava river. Once a possession of the Přemyslid king Ottokar II of Bohemia, it later passed to the Vítkovci dynasty. Again purchased by the Bohemian Crown in the 14th century, it was a favourite residence of Emperor Charles IV, who often visited the castle when residing in České Budějovice.

Held by the local noble William II of Pernstein from 1490 onwards, castle and town prospered. Though seized by French forces in the Thirty Years' War, the acquisition by the House of Schwarzenberg in 1661 brought even greater wealth to the area. After a blaze in 1742, the medieval fortress was slighted and rebuilt as a chateau. A Jewish community (Qahal) arose in the late 17th century, however, a synagogue was not erected until 1907.