It is the town located on the foothills of the Šumava Mountains. It was founded in the early 14th century next to the long-distance merchants´ route, on which salt was transported to Bohemia. The Gothic Church of St. Jacob is the dominant of the town. The economy of the town had its vigour in the 16th century, from that period sizeable fortifications with bastions and the Písek Gate have preserved as well as numerous representative houses in the Renaissance style with graffiti decoration. The literary school with galleries, the Town Hall uniquely decorated with chiaroscuro (shadow wall paintings), the Sitter’s House – recently the Museum of Prachatice, the Rosenberg’s House, the Hus´s House, the building of the former salt stock etc. belong to the most significant architectural sights of the town. After the Battle on the White Mountain the economic vigour of the town was interrupted and Prachatice lost its status of a royal town. The important cultural event is the Festivities of the Salt Golden Route reminding of medieval salt trade between Prachatice and Passau. The mountains of Šumava are attractive aim as well.