History of Gymnázium Benešov

Gymnázium Benešov was founded in 1703 by the Piarist Order, though its origins date back to 1676, when the first efforts to establish the school began. Over the centuries, the school faced multiple closures and reopenings–first abolished in 1778, then restored in 1804, only to close again in 1832 due to financial difficulties. Since 1857, it has been operating continuously. Key milestones include the approval of Czech as the language of instruction in 1866, the first graduation exams in 1901, and the construction of the current Neo-Renaissance school building between 1905 and 1907, designed by architect Karel Donda. A defining feature of the school is its aula with an apse, completed in 1912, adorned with stained-glass windows and wall paintings by the Art Nouveau painter František Urban. Both World Wars had a significant impact on the school–during World War I, it served as a military hospital, and in World War II, it was occupied by SS troops and severely damaged. After 1948, the school underwent communist-era educational reforms but managed to maintain a high academic standard. Following the political changes of 1989, the school underwent extensive modernization, including facade renovations, the restoration of the aula, and upgrades to its technological facilities. Today, Gymnázium Benešov is a prestigious institution with a high percentage of graduates accepted into universities, a diverse range of extracurricular activities, and active partnerships with international schools.

Notable Alumni and School Personalities

Many of the school's graduates have gone on to become successful doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, and government officials, while others have excelled in politics, science, or the arts. Some have achieved such prominence in their fields that they have been included in encyclopedic and biographical dictionaries. A list of individuals whose studies at Gymnázium Benešov are well-documented has been compiled. This compilation is based on available literature and does not claim to be exhaustive.

Brandl, Zdeněk RNDr. CSc. (1939–2013)

Biologist, scientist, and educator, associate professor at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. In 2003, he was appointed professor. Between 1998 and 2004, he served as dean of the Faculty of Science at the same university and later became its vice-rector in 2004. In 2011, he was named professor emeritus. He passed away on August 20, 2013.
Further information: ČSOP Vlašim website.

Friedmann, Julius JUDr. (1885–1964)

Participant in the foreign resistance during World War I, member of the London-based Czechoslovak government-in-exile, later a member of the Czechoslovak government.

Hausenblas, Karel PhDr. DrSc. (1923–2003)

Professor of the Czech language at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, author of both academic and popular scientific books.
Further information: Wikipedia.

Hoza, Pavel Mgr. (b. 1964)

Czech language and literature teacher at Gymnázium Benešov, writer, and poet.
Further information: Wikipedia, or Benešov city.

Chlupáč, Miloslav (1920–2008)

Academic sculptor specializing in both original artwork and restoration, actively involved in associations of visual artists.
Featured in the documentary Portréty by Jana Chytilová, aired on Czech Television in 2005.

Janovic, Vladimír (b. 1935)

Poet, translator, editor for literary magazines and publishing houses.
Further information:Wikipedia, or on the website Slovníku české literatury

Petráň, Josef PhDr. (1930–2017)

Historian, professor at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, author of numerous academic publications, editor of the Podblanicko Regional Studies Journal.
Further information: Wikipedia.

Plavec, Miroslav (1925–2008)

Astronomer, worked at the Astronomical Institute of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University. After emigrating, he became a professor at a university in Los Angeles.
Further information: archívu českého vydání BBC.

Schönbaum, Emil PhDr. (1882–1967)

Professor of Insurance and Statistical Mathematics at Charles University, later an advisor on social insurance for several Central and South American countries.
Further information: Středočeské vědecké knihovny v Kladně.

Škvor, Jiří JUDr. (1916–1981)

Poet, known in exile as Pavel Javor, Contributor to the BBC, professor of Czech and Slovak language and literature at a university in Montreal.
Further information: Slovníku české literatury.

Topol, Josef (1935–2015)

Poet, playwright, translator, associated with E. F. Burian's theatre and Divadlo Za branou (Theatre Beyond the Gate), with some regional themes in his works.
Further information: Wikipedia.

Tywoniak, Jiří PhDr. (1919–1995)

Historian, archivist, founder of regional studies journals, author of several books and numerous articles on the history of the Podblanicko region.
Further information: DATABÁZE KNIH.CZ.

Vančura, Vladislav MUDr. (1891–1942)

Renowned prose writer and dramatist, with regional elements in some of his works. A member of the anti-Nazi resistance, he was executed during the Heydrich terror.
Further information: Wikipedia.

Viewegh, Michal (b. 1962)

Writer, author of short stories and novels, some with regional themes. Lecturer in Creative Writing.
Further information: Wikipedia.