Osek is a municipality and village in Strakonice District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 600 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The villages of Jemnice, Malá Turná, Petrovice and Rohozná are administrative parts of Osek.

Etymology

Osek is a common Czech toponymy. The word osek denotes a cut trunk and it also could mean a cut forest.

Geography

Osek is located about 7 km northeast of Strakonice and 52 km northwest of České Budějovice. It lies in the Blatná Uplands. The highest point is a hill at 506 m above sea level. There are several fishponds in the municipality; the largest of them are Velký and Bašta. The ponds are supplied by the stream Petrovický potok.

History

The first written mention of Osek is from 1392, then known as Vosek or Wossek. It was probably founded in the second half of the 14th century. The village began to grow around the lord's court, on which a fortress was probably built before 1414. Osek was acquired by King Wenceslaus IV as escheat. He divided it among his minions. Until World War I, the villages of Osek, Petrovice, Malá Turná and Rohozná were administrative parts of the municipality of Radomyšl, and Jemnice was a sovereign municipality. Shortly before World War I, the villages separated and created a new municipality. In 1924, Osek was renamed to its current name. In 1961, Jemnice joined the Osek municipality.

Demographics

Transport

The I/4 road (the section from Strakonice to Příbram) passes through the municipality. The railway line Strakonice–Blatná runs through the municipality, but there is no train station. The municipality is served by the station in neighbouring Radomyšl.

Sights

The most important monument is the Osek Castle. The fortress from the 15th century was completely rebuilt into the current pseudo-Baroque castle in 1911. It has valuable interiors. Today it serves as a home for people with disabilities. Next to the castle is a park founded in the early 20th century.