Strakonice (Czech pronunciation: [ˈstrakoɲɪtsɛ]; German: Strakonitz) is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 22,000 inhabitants and is located at the confluence of the Volyňka and Otava rivers. The town's feudal history is closely linked to the Knights Hospitaller. The main landmark of the town is the Strakonice Castle, protected as a national cultural monument. The town has seen rapid industrialisation and urbanisation in the 19th and 20th centuries leading to the loss of many historical buildings and contributing to its modernist appearance. Strakonice is a regional industrial centre, historically known for its engineering and textile industries. It hosts the biennial International Bagpipe Festival.