Okříšky - Oficiální webový portál městyse

The first written mention of Okrisky dates from 1371 when the town was touched on in the will of the margrave Jan Jindrich, brother of the emperor Charles IV. Back then, the town belonged to the Rokstejn Castle. Later it often changed hands, being gradually the property of Petrovsti of Rochov, Herynek of Slupno, Jindrich Rechemberk of Zeletice, Breznicti of Nachod, Vit Jindrich Port of Arlesberk, Lords of Leves, Krystof Pavel Veznik, Hoch Knights, and Karel Herman of Heldenherz. When the latter had died, Okrisky was bought by Tomas Vincinguerra Collalto whose family owned the manor until 1945.

After the 1848 revolution, the Municipal Self-Administration took control of the town instead of the Lordly Authority. The construction of railway was decisive for the town's further development. The first train stopped at the Okrisky station on the 26th of March 1871 on its trial journey via the North-East Line from Jihlava to Znojmo. A State Railways line to Brno was brought to Okrisky in 1886. The railway led to a constant growth of the population and the number of houses (in 1850 - 551 and 72, in 1900 - 961 and 132, in 1930 - 1356 and 239), development of trades and business but also of education, culture, and social life.

The town expanded from the original settlement located around the pond bellow the Castle towards the train station and along the road to Trebic. New housing estates, "Na Skalce" and "Na Trzisti", were built during the period between the WWI and WWII. The street leading to the train station slowly became the business artery with imposing houses.

The number and types of trades increased, including 5 inns, 7 butchers, 3 bakers, 3 barbers, 2 millers, several merchants, confectioners, carpenters, machinists, carriers, etc. Regarding bigger businesses, Okrisky had an alcohol distillery, sawmill, a button factory, steam brickworks, and several building companies. In the 1920s, the town was fully electrified. Also social activities developed. The Okrisky clubs included e.g. the Palacky Readers' Club, Sokol, a theatre ensemble, fire brigade, or Sports Club.

Since the turn of the 19th to 20th century, the town has been growing into a natural centre of the neighbouring villages, which trend still continues. Currently, Okrisky is home to more than 2 000 people who live in 541 houses. The town is provided with complete public utilities networks (water main, sewerage with a water treatment plant, gasification, cable TV). It has a network of shops and services, a basic school and kindergarten, a health centre, post office, and telephone exchange. Train and bus stations, Police department, a bank, and a hotel serve for the convenience of its inhabitants and visitors. Regarding sports and culture, there is a library, cinema, hall for social and cultural events, a sports centre, a Sokol hall, a grassy football field, tennis courts, a hockeyball field, a skating rink, an outdoor swimming pool, and a shooting range in Okrisky.

Since 1989, the Municipal Council has made a number of large investments: water treatment plant, health centre, new residential houses, a modern school gym; the projects in progress include flood protection polders, preparation of an industrial zone, and recultivation of the waste disposal site. In 2002, Okrisky acquired a municipal badge and established contacts with the town of San Pier d'Isonzo, Italy. About twenty clubs engaged in sports, culture, ecology, and work with children and youths operate in the town.