Despite being a part of the modern South Bohemian Region, the town lies in the historical land of Moravia.

[3] Slavonice reached its greatest prosperity in the 16th century, when it was an important town on the trade route from Prague to Vienna, which brought it great wealth.

When the route was relocated, the town's source of wealth dried up, which contributed to the preservation of a unique set of Renaissance houses.

[4] The town and the surrounding countryside were lightly fortified in the period leading up to the World War II.

Being so close to the Austrian border, Slavonice was heavily affected by the creation of the Iron Curtain during the period of communism.

The hamlet of Maříž was emptied of its inhabitants during the communist era in an effort to prevent people from living anywhere near the border with non-communist Austria.

Cellar vaults, facades of houses with typical gables derived from the Italian Renaissance and a guild rooms with murals have been preserved.

Outside the urban area, there is the pilgrimage Church of Corpus Cristi, which was built originally in the 13th century and renewed after it was burned down during the Hussite Wars.