Hvožďany is a municipality and village in Příbram District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 800 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The villages of Leletice, Planiny, Pozdyně, Roželov and Vacíkov are administrative parts of Hvožďany.

Etymology

The name has the root in hvozd, which is an old Czech word for 'forest'. The term hvožďan denoted a person who lives in a forest or near a forest.

Geography

Hvožďany is located about 21 km southwest of Příbram and 71 km southwest of Prague. It lies on the border between three nature regions: Blatná Uplands (southwest, including the villages of Hvožďany and Pozdyně), Benešov Uplands (southeast, including Leletice) and Brdy Highlands (north). The highest point is at 780 m above sea level. The upper course of the Lomnice River flows through the woods in the northwestern part of the municipal territory. The brook Hvožďanský potok originates here and flows through the Hvožďany village. The southern part of the municipality is rich in fishponds.

History

The first written mention of Hvožďany is from 1352, when a fortress and a church already stood here. From 1408 to 1472, the village was owned by the Lords of Třemšín. Among the next owners were various less important knight families. From 1666 until the establishment of a sovereign municipality in 1848, Hvožďany belonged to the Lnáře estate.

Demographics

Transport

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

Sights

The main landmark of Hvožďany is the Church of Saint Procopius and the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. It was built in the Gothic style in the first half of the 14th century, then it was extended in the Baroque style. Next to the church is a separate bell tower, built in 1687.