Discover the Excitement: Municipality of the Year 2025 – Písečná and Other Past Winners
This year marks the 29th year of the Village of the Year competition. In 2025, a total of 181 villages have decided to take part in this contest. The competition aims to appreciate communities that stand out for their lively community life, benevolence towards public areas, and innovative ideas for modern rural growth. Out of all the participants, 13 municipalities that won regional rounds have made it to the final stage of this 29th annual Village of the Year contest. These thirteen regionally winning towns are now competing on a national level. The municipality of Písečná in the Pardubice Region has emerged as the winner for 2025 due to its impressive dedication to landscape care and a rich cultural and social atmosphere.
Municipality of Pisecna: winner 2025
The village of Písečná, located near Žamberk, is a small yet vibrant and colorful community in the East Bohemia region. It boasts a captivating mix of natural beauty, historical sites, and a dynamic social scene. The residents are committed to preserving local traditions and enhancing their public spaces. Písečná keeps alive many traditional country customs that have been inherited through generations. This village also serves as a gateway for excursions to the nearby Orlické Mountains, where attractions include Hanička Fortress, the Anenské vrch lookout tower, and the Neratov pilgrimage site. In the winter, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing trails and small ski resorts in the proximity.
Municipality of Vacov: winner 2024
The Village of the Year 2024 title goes to Vacov, situated in the Pošumava region of Prachatice, in South Bohemia. It’s located about 16.5 kilometers from Kašperské Hory, 15 kilometers from Vimperk, and 15.5 kilometers from Volyn. Vacov is responsible for overseeing 14 settlements with over 1,300 residents. The municipality’s cadastre covers an area of 3530 hectares, with an average elevation of 720 meters above sea level. The village has roots tied to the colonization of the neighboring Strakonice area and acquired its name from the medieval landowner either known as Vaca or Václav. According to local tradition, Vacov was founded in 1252, originally as a fortress that later fell into disrepair. In its place, a Romanesque single-nave church dedicated to St. Lawrence was constructed. By 1885, the current church dedicated to St. Nicholas was established at the same site. This area boasts high environmental quality, making it a hub for tourism and various outdoor activities.
The area of the municipality is quite expansive, and travelers will discover numerous fascinating attractions. Some include the Klostermann lookout tower situated on Javorník peak (1066 meters), the Klostermann Way long-distance trail, the menhirs found in Zuklín Forest, or the Moon Stone nature trail. During winter, skiers can take advantage of the Javorník Ski Resort, while bikers can enjoy the mountain bike routes available in Javorník.
Village of the Year competition as inspiration for trips
The Village of the Year competition has been active since 1995 and is organized by The Association for Rural Renewal of the Czech Republic, Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic, and the Ministry of Regional Development and Agriculture. This popular contest emphasizes the importance of rural areas and motivates their residents to contribute to enhancing their communities. It showcases the rich diversity and uniqueness of the villages across Czechia, Moravia, and Silesia, as well as successful initiatives aimed at their revitalization. For those who love hiking and visiting the Kudy z nudy portal, the villages that have been awarded the title of Village of the Year offer inspiration for discovering hidden gems. You might even find that rural areas have a modern flair that rivals that of many towns, showcasing innovative ideas that could be implemented elsewhere.
The first winning Village of the Year was Telnice
The concept of the Village of the Year competition was first thought of in the South Moravian town of Hnanice. In the 1990s, after decades of isolation and being home to a military garrison, this place was far from the charming wine-growing village it has become today. Like many other communities, it needed assistance, and so the South Moravian Region offered it a holistic plan and Village Renewal Programme. The very first competition was initiated by the Society for Rural Renewal of the Czech Republic in 1995 under the title “Competition for the Most Improved Village Renewal Programme” and the inaugural award went to Telnice in South Moravia.
Rules of the Village of the Year competition
The rules of the competition have evolved over the years, with some remaining the same. Currently, the Village of the Year competition is open to municipalities, towns, and townships that maintain their village charm, with a population no greater than 7,500 inhabitants and a strategic plan focusing on the growth of the municipality, a village renewal program, or a development plan for the area. Each municipality enters the competition as a whole, including local districts. To win, they only need to submit a properly completed application and succeed in two evaluation rounds—regional and national. Participating municipalities are reviewed by committees that assess the village based on various criteria, including its overall appeal, social life, citizen activities, preservation of cultural sites, upkeep of public spaces and natural features, as well as civic amenities and future plans embracing modern technologies.
The selection process for the Village of the Year competition happens in two rounds: regional and national. Municipalities participate in the competition, and committees evaluate them within their regions. The top municipalities progress to the national finals where winners are selected in various categories, including the prestigious Gold Ribbon award. Additionally, there is an online public voting opportunity for the People’s Choice Award.
Villages of the year as tips for trips to undiscovered places
In the inaugural year of the contest, which was 1995, the first winner was Telnice, followed closely by the village of Pěnčín, known for its Excursion Area, a glass bead workshop, and a goat farm where you can find a restaurant serving dishes made from goat meat and cheese. During the tourist season, an excursion train takes visitors to places like the Kittel complex in Krásná or to the Černá Studnice lookout tower. In 1996, the next winner was Vratěnín, followed by the Village of the Year 1997, which was Svatý Jan nad Malší in South Bohemia. The second place went to Tvarožná, known for the hill Santon, which was pivotal in the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805. The fourth winner in 1998 was Jiřetín pod Jedlovou, a quaint town in the Lusatian Mountains, famous for its lookout tower and a significant pilgrimage site on Křížová hora. The second place that year was awarded to Hukvaldy, where you can visit the remains of an old castle.
In subsequent years, more recognition was given to South Moravian villages. The Village of the Year 1999 was Olešnice, which became well-known for its production of blueprints, while Village of the Year 2000 went to Column, located northeast of Blansko within the protected Moravian Karst area. This village is known for the baroque pilgrimage church of Our Lady of Sorrows, the solitary rock formation Hřebenáč, and the nearby Sloupsko-Sošůvské caves. In 2001, the title was given to Kameničky in the Chrudim region, connected to the impressionist painter Antonín Slavíček and other artists. This village is also recognized through the works of the writer Karel Václav Rais, who set part of his novel in this beautiful location, and actor Radovan Lukavský, who held art exhibitions there. The title of Village of the Year 2002 went to Nečtiny, known for being a great starting point for trips into the Manětínská Nature Park or along the Path of Angels.
Then, in 2003, the title went to William near Golčovo Jeníkov, and in 2004, it was awarded to Kovářov in the Sedlčany region. The title of Village of the Year 2005 was then bestowed upon Bořetice, a wine-growing village nestled in the area of the Blue Mountains. Visitors can enjoy views from the lookout tower situated on Kraví hora. Following Liptal in 2006 and Havlovice in 2007, See (2008) and Fat (2009) each won the title. In 2010, Ratmerice claimed the title; it is located near the historic site of the Battle of Jankov in the Thirty Years’ War. Visitors can check out a castle hotel and a park featuring unique redwood trees, plus there’s an educational trail that commemorates one of the bloodiest battles on Czech land.
In 2011, the title Village of the Year was awarded to Komnia, home to the Jan Amos Komenský Memorial. Following that, Řepice took the prize in 2012, and Jeseník nad Odrou won in 2013. In 2014, Katherines, a village in the Hostýn Hills northwest of Vsetín located in the Kateřinka stream valley, received the award. The lively activities and community involvement there were significant reasons for their victory. The title for Village of the Year 2015 was awarded to Krásná, located very close to Aš, where you can also find the westernmost point in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, in the 2016 competition, Kašava, a Wallachian village in the Dřevnice river valley, won the award. Nearby attractions include Lukov Castle and Zlín Zoo.
Following Herman in 2017, the village of Dolní Němčí won the title of Village of the Year 2018 due to its vibrant social, cultural, and community life. For Village of the Year 2019, 206 villages applied for the title, and it was granted to Lipová, which is located in the scenic Šluknov foothills. Visitors should check out the local information center, situated in a charming half-timbered house, and the ruins of a Baroque chateau accompanied by a beautifully restored garden. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the competition did not take place in the next two years. Communities, hamlets, and villages resumed competing in 2022, with the first title after the pandemic going to Kostelní Lhota. In the year 2023, the title went to Ostrožská Lhota. Finally, in 2024, the prestigious title of the competition was awarded to the charming Vacov. In 2025, Písečná near Žamberk in the Pardubice Region proudly claimed the title of Village of the Year.
