Bzenec

Bzenec (Czech pronunciation: [ˈbzɛnɛts]; German: Bisenz) is a town in the southeast of Moravia, in the Czech Republic. It lies in the South Moravian Region. The population is 4,305 (2005). Bzenec was first mentioned in 1015 (unofficial). In 1330 it became a town. About the earliest history of its Jews nothing is known. Pesina, whose "Mars Moravicus" was published in 1677, calls it "nidus Judæorum". In the time of the margraves (up to the 15th century) the Bisenz Jews must have enjoyed great privileges; for, according to the oldest "mountain-laws", they were permitted to own vineyards, it being a matter of great importance to the margraves to market their wine through the agency of Jewish traders. In the wars between George Podiebrad of...