Discover Cizova: History, Views and Trails

Čížová combines impressive architectural history with routes through the landscape, offering more than just a brief sightseeing stop. The Church of St. James the Elder is particularly prominent and is considered Čížová’s oldest and most valuable architectural monument. Its Gothic core contains architectural elements from the Písek-Zvíkov building school. It can be assumed that it was built as a parish church no later than before the middle of the 13th century. The site thus combines a Gothic core, a presumed medieval parish church and Baroque additions to create a multilayered historical impression.

Church, Chapel and Historical Traces

South of the church’s main entrance stands the Chapel of St. Barbara, built in 1759. It contains a 5 × 2.7 metre crypt, which presumably served for the burial of families of senior estate officials. The crypt adds a distinctive architectural detail to the chapel. The Hospital of Čížová also holds a firm place in the town’s history: it was built in 1762–1763 for eight elderly and poor people and recalls the social history of the area.

The historical picture also includes Čížová Castle. The municipality purchased it in 2013, and it has been gradually restored since then. The former aristocratic brewery in Čížová was built by Václav Mikuláš Deym in the second half of the 17th century. A three-storey Baroque granary dating from 1734 stands on a hillside as a striking landmark beside the road. Almost opposite a chapel, a stone reconciliation cross can be seen on the road to Blatná. The castle, former brewery and granary enrich the townscape with a range of different historical functions.

Views and Active Exploration

From Sv. Jakuba Hill above Čížová, views extend over Písek and the surrounding municipalities. On a clear day, Šumava can also be seen. The Church of St. James the Elder can be reached via two signposted hiking trails. For a cycling tour, cycle route 1161 from Čížová to Chlaponice is a good option; it passes by the church. The marked trails and cycle route offer different paces: on foot, the visit leads to the church, while by bicycle the route can be combined with a ride to Chlaponice. This makes it possible to combine historical impressions with a route through the landscape, without viewing the cultural destinations separately from their surroundings.

The “Kaňonem zlatonosné Otavy” excursion can also be undertaken by bicycle or on foot. For shared holiday planning, the municipality also offers the holiday activity “Putování s Mušlíkem” and provides a map to download and print. The map can help with preparing a shared excursion. Čížová has train and bus connections; this information can help you find your bearings when choosing where to stay.

More Places for Your Research

If you would like to compare other destinations from the same selection alongside Cizova, you can also find Paseky, Minice, Štědronín-Plazy, Radvánov, Písecká Smoleč, Vusi, Nerestce and Jickovice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Písek.