Býšov

Býšov is a small medieval fortified manor (tvrz) located in the municipality of Temelín in South Bohemia, just a short distance from the well-known Temelín nuclear power plant. It is the kind of site most visitors never hear about before arriving — and exactly the kind worth a detour, precisely because it draws no crowds.

What exactly is Býšov?

Býšov is a stone tvrz dating back to the late 14th century. What survives today is mainly a two-storey tower building, built from rough, unplastered stone with thick walls and small windows — a style typical of the modest fortified seats of minor nobility in this period. The site sits within the cadastral territory of Knín, a few kilometers from Temelín, and is protected as a cultural monument.

What is its history?

The earliest written record of Býšov dates to 1395, when the village and its fortress belonged to brothers Arnošt and Kuník of Býšov, who were also patrons of the church in nearby Křtěnov. The Býšov family held the estate until the end of the 16th century. During the 17th century the fortress lost its defensive purpose and was converted into a granary (sýpka) — a common fate for small tvrze in this region. In 1615, Jan the Younger of Býšov sold the fortress and the surrounding village to the Malovec family of Malovice, who folded the property into the larger Hluboká nad Vltavou estate.

The most dramatic turn in the site's history came in the 20th century. The neighboring village of Knín was demolished to make way for the Temelín nuclear power plant, whose construction began in 1985. Of all the buildings that once stood in the western part of the area, only the Býšov tvrz survived — today it stands as the sole physical trace of a village that no longer exists.

What can visitors see there?

The main draw is the tower itself: a solid stone structure that has outlasted more than six centuries and several waves of rebuilding. Next to it stands a former farmstead, which has been under restoration since 2009. The renovation, led by the current owner — a South Bohemian agricultural distillery — cost around 30 million Czech crowns, with 22 million covered by an EU grant from the Southwest Regional Operational Programme. The goal of the restoration has been to turn part of the complex into a museum and cultural space.

Býšov is considered one of the best-preserved small noble residences in the Vltava-Týn area, the region around Týn nad Vltavou.

How to get there and when to visit?

The tvrz sits a few kilometers from the center of Temelín, in a quiet rural corner of South Bohemia. A car is the most practical way to reach it, since public transport in the area is limited. It makes a natural stop for anyone already heading out to see the Temelín power plant or exploring the area around Týn nad Vltavou and Hluboká nad Vltavou. Because the site is still undergoing restoration, it is worth checking beforehand — or on arrival — how much of the complex is actually open to visitors, as access can vary depending on the stage of the works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Býšov tvrz? It is a small medieval fortified manor from the late 14th century, preserved mainly as a stone tower, and listed as a protected cultural monument.

Why doesn't the village of Knín, where Býšov stands, exist anymore? The village was demolished to make room for the Temelín nuclear power plant, construction of which began in 1985. The Býšov tvrz is the only structure that remained after the demolition.

Who owned Býšov historically? From 1395 until the end of the 16th century, the estate belonged to the Býšov family. In 1615 it was sold to the Malovec family of Malovice and merged into the Hluboká nad Vltavou estate.

Can the tvrz be visited today? The site has been undergoing restoration since 2009, partly funded by an EU grant, with the aim of opening part of the complex as a museum space — it's worth checking current access before visiting.