Bechlín is a municipality and village in Litoměřice District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,300 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The village of Předonín is an administrative part of Bechlín.

Etymology

The name is derived from the personal name Bechla, meaning "Bechla's (court)".

Geography

Bechlín is located about 20 km southeast of Litoměřice and 33 km north of Prague. It lies in the Lower Ohře Table, in the Polabí lowlands. The highest point is at 269 m above sea level.

History

The first written mention of Bechlín is from 1295. At the end of the 13th century, the village was divided into three parts with different owners and this division lasted until 1918. Among the notable noble families that owned some of the parts were Trčka of Lípa, Lobkowicz and Desfours-Walderode.

Demographics

Transport

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

Sights

The main landmark of Bechlín is the Church of Saint Wenceslaus. Originally a Gothic church, it was founded in the third quarter of the 13th century. It was reconstructed after a fire in 1697 and then rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1786.