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All Czechia Třeboň Třeboň

Třeboň

In the town of Třeboň, carp is king.

Třeboň, Czechia

Added By
Monica Petrus
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The regal carp   Monica Petrus
The regal carp   Monica Petrus
Christmas in Třeboň   Hynek Moravec / Wikimedia Commons
Christmas carp in the bathtub   Pavel Ševela / Wikimedia Commons.
Sign from the road, as you enter Třeboň - including carp and the Rožmberk rose   Monica Petrus
Carp ponds   Vince Smith / Flickr
Schwarzenberg coat of arms - a raven tearing at Turkish heads   Wolfgang Sauber / Wikimedia Commons
Aerial view of Třeboň   Kralpilot / Wikimedia Commons
Town square   Navin Rajagopalan / Flickr
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About

Much maligned here in the U.S., the carp is seen as a muck dwelling, invasive bottom feeder.

Throughout the country, bounties are put on their slimy heads. For the carp, it's always open season. But in the Czech Republic, the boney fish is to Christmas what the noble turkey is to Thanksgiving. Each year, a few days before Christmas, fish mongers bring the fish to a kind of open air market in tubs where families select a fish and bring it home - alive. The temporary pets are given free reign of the family bathtub, much to the delight of children who willingly skip bathing until it’s all over.

The majority of the country’s carp come from Třeboň, a picturesque town in the south. But these carp are not your average duck poop and rotting carcass eating, cleaner-type fish. In the town of Třeboň, these fish are raised with great care. The ponds are drained frequently and fresh water added, and they're fed grain and fattened up for their big holiday showing.

Besides being the carp capital, the pretty town of Třeboň is quite an undiscovered gem.  It is surrounded by centuries old fish ponds and home to some high end spas. The chateau in town belonged to the Rožmberk family - the same family that built Rožmberk Castle in nearby Český Krumlov. The Rožmberk rose is seen throughout the city and is incorporated into the town’s coat of arms.  After the last of the Rožmberks died out in 1611, the estate was passed along to the Schwarzenbergs. The chateau displays wonderful exhibitions about both important Bohemian families. 

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Animals Holidays Fauna

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Added By

Monica Petrus

Edited By

Rachel

  • Rachel

Published

December 15, 2013

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Třeboň
39 Palackého náměstí
Třeboň
Czechia
49.003515, 14.764132
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