A town located on the foothills of the Šumava Mountains. It was founded in the early 14th century next to a salt merchants´ route. The Gothic Church of St. James (Jakub) is the dominant of the town. The town flourished especially in the16th century; at that time, sizeable fortifications with bastions and the Písek Gate were built along with numerous grand houses with sgraffito decorations in the Renaissance style. The literary school with galleries, the Town Hall uniquely decorated with chiaroscuro (shadow wall paintings), the Sitter’s House (currently housing the Museum of Prachatice), the Rosenberg House, the Hus House, and the building of ...