Present

 The people of Benecko live social life. The formal occasions (ball, parties, fair, racing, child day) are arranged by civil organizations.

 There are two sport organizations in Benecko: Hanč Sport Club and "Sokol" Benecko.

 There are 3 grocery stores in commune, private bakery, shop with glass and souvenirs. In the house of services is situated shop with sport equipment, drugstore, laundry, Post office, disco, restaurant "Krkonošská světnice" and telephone.

Kinder garden in Benecko.		The house of services in Benecko.

 The other services are private taxi, rental of sport equipment, ski schools, exchange office, information bureau and the bowling and minigolf.

 In the area of Benecko is also situated the firm Delphi, which is producing window blind, fellies and inbuilt press. In Štěpanice is private saw-mill too.

 In Benecko is registered a lot of private farmers. There is also the farm Benecko ltd.

 There are more than 80 houses provides accommodation.

 In church of Holly Three in Horní Štěpanice was in 1994 hanged up 220 kg heavy bell. That bell was bought from the sponsor present of local people. This bell was dedicated to Saint Václav. There were installed the automatic ringing too.

 In 19th July 1998 Monsignor Karel Otčenášek has made consecration of tens repaired crosses.

 etc.

Elementary school in Benecko.		Elementary school in Dolni Stepanice.
The Grocery store "Skalka".		Rest home in Mrklov.

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Information
The body count (07-2004):	1118
school:	2 elementary school and 2 kindergardens
Post office:	ZIP code: 512 37 Benecko, 514 01 Horní a Dolní Štěpanice, Mrklov

History

 Historical center of region was the castle Štěpanice. The first written record from 1304 tells us about the establishment of the castle by John of Valdstein. But according to Balbín already in 1254 was here the reign of Henry John of Valdstein. This statement confirms archeological discoveries in the castle too. At present we can find on the place where the castle was only the ruins and the rest of defense system.

 Part of castle is hidden by detritus that give us hope for the other discoveries. They are confirmed by archeological research of another part of the castle where are ground floors of some buildings covered by detritus too.

 Horní Štěpanice use to have the status of town. It lost it right after the owners leave the castle in 1524. The main source of living for local people was work in the forest and agriculture. Later, when the forest was away the wooden houses was built on that places and ground was cultivated. There was established the iron ore mine in Hamerský Vrch and the gold mine in Zákoutí, then was expanded the weaving.

 The name Benecko is mentioned for the first time in 1628. The founder of Benecko was probably Beneš (that is why Benešsko - Benecko). The legend tells us about the eremite of Saint Benedict and the deer which was his friend. That should be the main reason why Benecko has in the coat-of-arms deer head with the cross between the antlers.

 Mrklov was settled likewise Dolní Štěpanice along the water. It was settlement mainly agricultural. The flax was cultivated here. The spinning of flax was drudgery of local people. Under the reign of Marie Teresie was expanded the home production of linen.

 There were a lot of fellowships established. Everyday live the people in mountain have dulcified by acting. The education was managed by patriotic teachers (some of them are Josef Panýr, Joser Šír and Antonín Pochop). During the occupation was the great number of men involved into rebellion. The teacher of Benecko Antotnín Bedrník finished his live in Nazi prison. In Mrklov was the revolt managed by Ladislav Vraštil, František Mach and Jaroslav Antoš.

 The main change in the structure of inhabitants of Benecko made the tourism and winter sports. Already in 1892 the hatchet man Vondrák manufactures the ski. Together with that the Norway lectors come to Benecko. They taught not only people from Prague but the local interested person too. Benecko is the highest situated village and that is why it was also the poorest village. It has after the ski revolution rocket increase its development. The Czech SKI club has bough the hut in here which is the starting point for the voyage into the whole Giant Mountain. The publicity of village is increasing. The first hotel was built. The count of Harrach built hotel Zlatá Vyhlídka and constructed the view tower and restaurant on the top of Žalý. In twentieth and thirtieth are some of cottages changed to pensions or even to hotels.

 Another development stops Nazi occupation. After the freedom the old visitors has started to come back to Benecko. There were some new plans for the development of recreation but after the February 1948 was everything changed. The business enterprising was put down. The accommodation was provided only by state companies like Jednota etc. After the 1990 was a lot of hotels given back to their original owners in restitution or sold in privatization.

Government

	Ing. Jaroslav Mejsnar -  Magistrate
	MVDr. Miloš Gerstner - Secondary magistrate
	Counsel men:
	Jiří Pochop
	Miloslav Urbanec
	Martin Pohořalý
	Other members of government:
	MUDr. Marta Kuželová
	Zdeněk Jebavý
	Kamil Tomáš
	Stanislav Klimenta
	Jaromír Petrák
	Mgr. Marie Šírová
	Jan Urbanec
	Monika Janatová
	Jiří Hervert
	Jiří Hanuš