Discover Zahájí

Nature, History and Routes in Zahájí

Zahájí combines a protected natural area with an unusually rich local history. The Blana nature reserve is under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Zahájí and covers part of the cadastral area of Zahájí u Hluboké nad Vltavou. With an area of 30.60 ha, it offers a clearly defined natural setting; populations of eight amphibian species occur at the site. For your travel planning, this provides a documented destination where nature observation can be combined with exploring the local history.

Blana and the Walk to the Jubilee Groves

A particularly well-defined route begins in the village square of Zahájí: the walk to the Schwarzenberg Jubilee Groves follows cycle route 1080 for approximately 1 km to the forest. The route takes about 1.5 hours and runs along paved paths through gently sloping terrain. Its historical background makes the walk more than just a woodland route. The Schwarzenberg Jubilee Groves were planted around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in honor of the 80th birthdays of two princes from the Schwarzenberg family, with 80 pedunculate oaks. Three mighty oaks and a memorial stone with a German inscription remain from the older Jubilee Grove.

Churches and Memorial Sites

The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary is the focal point of the village. It was built as an early Gothic church at the end of the 13th century, received a second nave in the second half of the 15th century, and was remodeled in the Baroque style after the fire of 1742. What remains is a two-nave church building with a presbytery, sacristy, and prismatic tower. Notable details include the portals of the two western entrances and a late Gothic stone saddle portal between the presbytery and sacristy.

Several smaller memorial sites complement this historical focus. Černá kaplička is a stone wayside shrine on the outskirts of Zahájí in the direction of Olešník, with a memorial plaque dedicated to fallen French soldiers. Bílá kaplička stands behind Zahájí at a former crossroads in the direction of Olešník. Between Zahájí and Munice, at a crossroads in the direction of Zliv, there is a memorial cross with a plaque above the grave of Austrian soldiers. The local history also includes the engagement known as the “Battle of Zahájí,” which took place on May 25, 1742, during the War of the Austrian Succession and claimed more than 300 lives.

Cycle Route and Local Event

On the cycling excursion “Circuit from Zliv via Blata,” cycle route CT1080 leads from Mydlovary to Zahájí. If you are looking for accommodation, you can therefore check whether Zahájí, as the documented starting point of the walk and destination of this cycling route, fits into your travel plans.

A distinct local tradition is the recurring event “Competition for the Best Spicy Goulash and Farewell to Summer.” It has already been held for the seventh time and includes a program for all age groups. This seasonal event complements the village’s nature- and history-related attractions.

Further Places for Your Travel Planning

Other places you can visit include Kolodeje Nad Luznici, Payreschau, Rudolfov, Pasinovice, Kamenná, Mokrý Lom, Habří, and Sedlec.

For the broader travel overview: České Budějovice District.