Chotěšov (Plzeň-South District)

Chotěšov (German: Chotieschau) is a municipality and village in Plzeň-South District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,000 inhabitants. It is known for the Chotěšov Abbey.

Chotěšov
Municipality
Municipal office
Flag Coat of arms
Chotěšov Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 49°39′14″N 13°11′55″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Plzeň
District	Plzeň-South
First mentioned	1115
Area
• Total	26.81 km2 (10.35 sq mi)
Elevation	358 m (1,175 ft)
Population  (2025-01-01)[1]
• Total	3,048
• Density	110/km2 (290/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal codes	332 14, 333 01
Website	www.obec-chotesov.cz

Administrative division

Chotěšov consists of five municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):^[2]

• Chotěšov (2,197)
• Hoříkovice (85)
• Losina (63)
• Mantov (539)
• Týnec (51)

Etymology

The name is derived from the personal name Chotěš, meaning "Chotěš's (court)".^[3]

Geography

Chotěšov is located about 15 km (9 mi) southwest of Plzeň. It lies mostly in the Plasy Uplands. The southernmost part of the municipal territory lies in the Švihov Highlands and includes the highest point of Chotěšov, the hill Křížový vrch at 487 m (1,598 ft) above sea level. The Radbuza River flows through the municipality. There are several fishponds; the largest of them is Velký.

History

The first written mention of Chotěšov is from 1115. History of the village was connected with the Chotěšov Abbey, which was founded in 1202–1210.^[4] In 1822, the estate was bought by Karl Alexander of Thurn and Taxis. His family owned Chotěšov until 1925, and the monastery complex until 1945.^[5]

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 1,985 —     1880 2,296 +15.7% 1890 2,659 +15.8% 1900 3,660 +37.6% 1910 4,425 +20.9%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 4,885 +10.4% 1930 4,787 −2.0% 1950 4,067 −15.0% 1961 3,726 −8.4% 1970 3,139 −15.8%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 2,897 −7.7% 1991 2,592 −10.5% 2001 2,603 +0.4% 2011 2,806 +7.8% 2021 2,935 +4.6%
Source: Censuses[6][7]

Economy

Chotěšov is home to MD Elektronik, a manufacturer of electrical equipment for automotive industry. This branch of the German company Merx, Diem & Co. GmbH was founded in Chotěšov in 1993. With more than 2,000 employees, MD Elektronik is among the largest employers in the region.^[8][9]

Transport

The I/26 road from Plzeň to the Czech-German border in Horní Folmava passes through the municipality.

Chotěšov is located on the railway line Plzeň–Domažlice.^[10]

Sights

Chotěšov Abbey

Chotěšov is known for the Chotěšov Abbey. The current building of the convent dates from 1756 and was built according to the plans of Jakub Auguston. Today the monastery is open to the public.^[5]

On Křížový vrch Hill is a former church from the mid-19th century with a tower from 1931. The 22 m (72 ft) high tower now serves as an observation tower.^[11]

Notable people

• Martin Krippner (1817–1894), Austrian military officer