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Tábor

Tabor is a historic city in South Bohemian Region of Czech Republic. This medieval town plays an important role in the Czech history.

Location: South Bohemian Region  Map

www.tabor.cz

Hussite Festival in September

History of Tabor

Tabor was originally found in 1420 by Petr Hromádka of Jistebnice and Jan Bydlínský of Bydlín. Both men were leaders of the Hussites, strong Czech movement to make changes in the practice of the Roman Catholic Church. This included communion with bread and wine to all people (not just bread) to all people and not only clergy. This is a reason you can see chalice as the symbol of the city. Hussites named their town Tabor after mount Tabor in the Holy Land (Israel) where according to the Gospels of the Bible Christ experienced Transfiguration. The word "Tabor" slightly changed its meaning in Czech Republic as well as other Eastern European countries since those times and became known as a synonym for a camp or encampment. It is particularly commonly used in reference to Gypsy settlements as "tabor".

Tabor was initially a mere temporary camp of the military forces. Many local men were drawn to the rebels who fought against the armies that supported orthodox traditions and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, but over time it became more permanent. Unfortunately the military settlement didn't last very long. It was sacked and burned by the armies of king George of Podebrady in 1452 thus ceasing this interesting experiment. Many of the museums, sculptures and historic buildings celebrate their violent military heritage today.