Lhota is the most common name of villages in the Czech Republic.
There are 309 villages which contain Lhota or Lhotka (diminutive form of Lhota) in their name, which makes it the most common name of villages in the Czech Republic. [1] In addition, there are dozens of villages with derivation of this name (Lhotice, Lhoty, Lhůty in the Czech Republic; Lehota or Lehótka in Slovakia). The largest of them are Komorní Lhotka and Dolní Lhota in the Moravian-Silesian Region and Francova Lhota and Ostrožská Lhota in the Zlín Region, all of them with about 1,500 inhabitants. [2]
Lhotas were founded during the middle-age colonization in Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia. Most of them were founded in the 13th century and the first half of the 14th century. [3] The name was first mentioned in 1199 (but the village was later renamed Svatý Jiří). [1]
The inhabitants of newly founded villages had obligations towards suzerains, but those duties were usually suspended for a certain period (such as 5–8 years) as a compensation for felling of forests and making the land available for agriculture. This period used to be called "lhóta" (i.e. 'grace period') and often became a part of the village name. [3]
They were usually established by local inhabitants, namely smaller noblemen close to their own village. The name of the founder, usually of a Slavic origin, became sometimes a part of village name (e.g., Vlachova Lhota). In other cases, the adjective in village name relates to its size (Dlouhá Lhota – Long Lhota) or other characteristics (Dolní Lhota – Lower Lhota, Písková Lhota – Sandy Lhota).
Prachatice is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 11,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument reservation.
Dolní Věstonice is a municipality and village in Břeclav District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 300 inhabitants. It is known for the eponymous archaeological site.
Blansko is a town in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 20,000 inhabitants. It lies on the Svitava River on the border of the Moravian Karst. It is mainly an industrial town.
Nýrsko is a town in Klatovy District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 5,000 inhabitants.
Dolní Němčí is a municipality and village in Uherské Hradiště District in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,900 inhabitants.
Horní Suchá is a municipality and village in the Karviná District in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 4,400 inhabitants. The municipality has a significant Polish minority.
Obec is the Czech and Slovak word for a municipality. The literal meaning of the word is "commune" or "community". It is the smallest administrative unit that is governed by elected representatives. Cities and towns are also municipalities.
Vlachovo Březí is a town in Prachatice District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,700 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.
Frýdek-Místek District is a district in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. Its capital is the city of Frýdek-Místek.
Komorní Lhotka is a municipality and village in Frýdek-Místek District in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,500 inhabitants. The municipality has a significant Polish minority. The folk architecture in the village is well preserved and is protected by law as a village monument zone.
Přerov District is a district in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. Its capital is the city of Přerov.
Letovice is a town in Blansko District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 7,000 inhabitants.
Janovice nad Úhlavou is a town in Klatovy District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,400 inhabitants.
Řitka is a municipality and village in Prague-West District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,400 inhabitants.
Dolní Břežany is a municipality and village in Prague-West District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 4,600 inhabitants.
Benecko is a municipality and village in Semily District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,100 inhabitants. It is a winter tourist resort. The village of Horní Štěpanice with timbered cottages is protected by law as a village monument reservation.
Ruda nad Moravou is a municipality and village in Šumperk District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,600 inhabitants.
Svojanov is a market town in Svitavy District in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 400 inhabitants.
Boletice Military Training Area is a military training area in Český Krumlov District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. Half of the military area is located in the Bohemian Forest range.
Dolní Lhota is a municipality and village in Ostrava-City District in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,500 inhabitants.