SPer

Sper is a small settlement situated in the Šumava region of the Czech Republic, near the border with Germany and Austria. The name “Sper” is derived from the Old High German word “spere,” meaning “spike” or “point,” a reference to the village’s location at a protruding ridge of the Bohemian Forest. First documented in a 14th‑century land register, Sper developed as a modest farming community, with its economy traditionally based on livestock, timber harvesting, and subsistence agriculture.

During the Thirty Years’ War, the village suffered depopulation, but it later recovered as part of the Habsburg re‑colonisation policies of the 18th century. By the late 19th century, Sper had a population of approximately 250 inhabitants and featured a Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to Saint Wenceslaus, erected in 1867. The chapel remains a focal point of local religious and cultural life.

In the 20th century, Sper experienced the broader political changes affecting the region, including incorporation into Czechoslovakia, the German occupation during World War II, and the subsequent post‑war expulsion of ethnic Germans, which altered its demographic composition. Today, Sper has roughly 120 residents, many of whom commute to nearby towns for work while maintaining traditional crafts such as wooden carving and beekeeping. The village is noted for its scenic trails, attracting hikers and nature enthusiasts who seek the tranquil atmosphere of the Šumava foothills.