Nýrsko

The town of Nýrsko (German: Neuern) lies in the Czech Republic 18 km south-west of the town Klatovy on the Úhlava river in the north-western part of the Šumava (Bohemian forest), 452 m a.s.l.

The first mention about Nýrsko dates back to 1327. It probably used to be a settlement in the 12th century. It was situated on the trade route to Bavaria (Germany) near the ford across the Úhlava river. A customs officer was located here.

The lower part of the town, called Dolní Nýrsko (Lower Nýrsko), was a member of the Royal Chamber, and the upper part, Horní Nýrsko (Upper Nýrsko), was a market village under the ownership of the Pajrek castle.

In 1558 Horní Nýrsko joined Dolní Nýrsko and both became property of the municipality of Bystřice. The town developed and grew quickly at that time and it obtained a lot of rights and privileges from Rudolph II in 1539.

The development continued in the 19th century too, when the railroad, the factory for the production of optical instruments and the shop of cut-glass were founded here.

South of the town a 36m high stone dam for a reservoir was built in 1969.