{{Infobox settlement | name = Oselce | other_name = | settlement_type = Municipality <!-- images --> | image_skyline = OSELCE - zámek A.JPG | image_caption = Oselce Castle | image_flag = Oselce CZ flag.gif | image_shield = Oselce CZ CoA.jpg <!-- location --> | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{CZE}} | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Plzeň | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Plzeň-South <!-- maps and coordinates --> | image_map = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Czech Republic | pushpin_relief = 1 | pushpin_map_caption = Location in the Czech Republic | coordinates = {{coord|49|26|14|N|13|40|22|E|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = <!-- government type, leaders --> | leader_title = | leader_name = <!-- established --> | established_title = First mentioned | established_date = 1388 <!-- area --> | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 14.78 <!-- elevation --> | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 585 <!-- population --> | population_as_of = 2025-01-01 | population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Population of Municipalities – 1 January 2025|url=https://csu.gov.cz/produkty/population-of-municipalities-t4l3n8d2iw|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|date=2025-05-16}}</ref> | population_total = 345 | population_density_km2 = auto <!-- time zone(s) --> | timezone1 = CET | utc_offset1 = +1 | timezone1_DST = CEST | utc_offset1_DST = +2 <!-- postal codes, area code --> | postal_code_type = Postal codes | postal_code = 335 01, 335 46 | area_code_type = | area_code = <!-- website, footnotes --> | website = {{URL|https://www.oselce.cz/}} | footnotes = }} '''Oselce''' ({{langx|de|Wosseletz}}) is a municipality and village in Plzeň-South District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 300 inhabitants.
==Administrative division== Oselce consists of three municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Census 2021 – basic data|url=https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4690&katalog=33475&pvo=SLD21043-CO|work=Public Database|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|language=cs|date=2022}}</ref> *Oselce (201) *Kotouň (127) *Nová Ves (17)
==Etymology== The word ''oselce'' is a plural form of ''oselec''. ''Oselec'' is an old Czech diminutive form of ''osel'', i.e. 'wild ass'.<ref>{{cite book |last=Profous|first=Antonín|title=Místní jména v Čechách III: M–Ř|url=https://mjc.ujc.cas.cz/search.php|page=289|year=1951|language=cs}}</ref>
==Geography== Oselce is located about {{convert|37|km}} southeast of Plzeň. It lies in the Blatná Uplands. The highest point is a nameless hill at {{convert|662|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. The municipal territory is rich in fishponds, the largest of which is Široký rybník.
==History== The first written mention of Oselce is from 1388. The Knights of Oselce owned the village from 1388 until the 16th century. A fortress in Oselce was first documented in the mid-16th century, but it was probably older. From 1673 to 1805, Oselce was property of the Janovský of Janovice family.<ref name=mas>{{cite web |title=Oselce – obec|url=https://www.masposumavi.cz/cestovni-ruch-a-regionalni-mistopis/regionalni-mistopis/mesta-obce-a-jejich-casti-1/oselce-obec-0_1661.html|publisher=MAS Pošumaví|language=cs|access-date=2022-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Zámek Oselce|url=https://www.nepomuk.cz/obcan/mista/zamek-oselce/|publisher=Město Nepomuk|language=cs|access-date=2022-11-12}}</ref>
The next notable owners of Oselce was the Booss-Waldeck family, who held the castle from 1832 to 1945. Oselce had the greatest fame at the time of their possession by Viktor Booss-Waldeck in 1887–1916, who was a patron of art and music. At that time, many celebrities were frequent guests at the castle, including Jaroslav Vrchlický, Oskar Nedbal, Josef Suk, Josef Svatopluk Machar, Josef Václav Sládek, Václav Talich and Karel Matěj Čapek-Chod.<ref name=mas/><ref>{{cite web |title=Barokní zámek v Oselcích|url=https://www.oselce.cz/barokni-zamek-v-oselcich|publisher=Obec Oselce|language=cs|access-date=2022-11-12}}</ref>
==Demographics== {{historical populations |align=none|cols=3 |1869|1344 |1880|1443 |1890|1312 |1900|1227 |1910|1260 |1921|1122 |1930|1045 |1950|770 |1961|745 |1970|610 |1980|505 |1991|406 |2001|381 |2011|341 |2021|345 |source=Censuses<ref>{{cite web |title=Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011|url=https://csu.gov.cz/produkty/historicky-lexikon-obci-1869-az-2015|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|language=cs|date=2015-12-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Population Census 2021: Population by sex|url=https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4429&katalog=33515&pvo=SLD21001-OB-OK|work=Public Database|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|date=2021-03-27}}</ref>}}
==Transport== The village of Kotouň is located on the railway line Blatná–Nepomuk.<ref>{{cite web |title=Detail stanice Blovice|url=https://www.cd.cz/stanice/kotoun/5474663|publisher=České dráhy|language=cs|access-date=2024-07-09}}</ref>
==Education== There is a school that provides primary and secondary education in Oselce. The secondary school offers apprenticeships in blacksmithing, locksmithing, carpentry and vehicle and agricultural machinery repair.<ref>{{cite web |title=Studijní obory|url=https://www.stredniskolaoselce.cz/studijni-obory|publisher=Střední škola a základní škola Oselce|language=cs|access-date=2022-11-12}}</ref>
==Sights== thumb|Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Kotouň The Oselce Castle was built in the early Baroque style in 1680. It was built on the site of a medieval fortress, which was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. In 1707–1737, the castle was rebuilt by Giacomo Antonio de Maggi, and the castle chapel was added. In the basement of the castle chapel, there is a ceiling fresco of St. John of Nepomuk and Czech patrons from the first half of the 18th century. The castle is surrounded by an English-style park. There is a large Baroque one-story granary in the park. Today, the castle houses the school.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zámek|url=https://pamatkovykatalog.cz/zamek-14779453|publisher=National Heritage Institute|language=cs|access-date=2022-11-12}}</ref>
The parish Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is the main landmark of the village of Kotouň. It was built by G. A. de Maggi in 1703–1705. It replaced an old church from 1475, destroyed by fire. The church complex is also formed by adjacent cemetery with a Baroque bell tower from 1696. Near the church, there is a valuable early Baroque building of the rectory, which dates from 1736.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie|url=https://www.oselce.cz/kostel-nanebevzeti-panny-marie|publisher=Obec Oselce|language=cs|access-date=2022-11-12}}</ref>
The Chapel of Saint Margaret is located on Markétin vrch hill. This Baroque chapel dates from 1691.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaple sv. Markéty|url=https://www.oselce.cz/kaple-sv-markety|publisher=Obec Oselce|language=cs|access-date=2022-11-12}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Oselce}} *{{official|https://www.oselce.cz/}}
{{Plzeň-South District}}
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Category:Villages in Plzeň-South District