Discover Svihov: Nature and History

Svihov combines remarkable natural features with traces of a long mining history. Anyone looking for more than just a place to stay when travelling to this part of the Czech Republic, but also for specific discoveries, will find a variety of themes here: biocenters and biocorridors, forest and stream landscapes, Drslavice Fortress, and historical references to silver mining.

Nature between slope forest, meadows and stream

The Cikánské údolí is a functioning biocenter that extends across the cadastral areas of Včelná pod Boubínem and Švihov u Lažišť. It covers 9 ha and is characterized by a south-facing slope forest and a stream. South-facing means a slope oriented towards the south. A cadastral area is an officially delineated spatial land unit.

The two natural structures differ in their spatial layout: Cikánské údolí is a 9 ha biocenter spanning two cadastral areas, while Pod Černým lesem is a 1,200 m-long biocorridor running through three cadastral areas. The valley thus contrasts with the elongated corridor as an extensive natural area.

Pod Černým lesem is a functioning biocorridor that runs through the cadastral areas of Včelná pod Boubínem, Švihov u Lažišť and Chlístov u Lažišť. It is 1,200 m long and includes riparian vegetation, meadows and forest. Riparian vegetation refers to plants along the edge of a body of water.

Skalní hora also includes riparian vegetation, meadows and forest.

Fortress and mining history near Švihov

The cultural history includes Drslavice Fortress in Švihov u Lažišť. It is designated as building No. 1.

Another trace leads to the history of mining: Around 1593, a silver-rich mine was mentioned near Švihov. The ore was taken to Krumlov for smelting. In addition, there was an abandoned mining site near Švihov.

During smelting, the metal is extracted from the ore by heating; Krumlov was the destination for this process. The silver-rich mine and the abandoned mining site thus represent separate historical references to mining near Švihov.

Gabreta Camp in Švihov 1

Gabreta Camp in Švihov 1 serves as a rest stop for pilgrims, families with children and their four-legged companions. It is also available for school trips, adaptation stays and interactive programmes.

The camp facilities include several different components: a solar shower, an outdoor bathroom with two tubs that can be heated, a covered kitchen with dishes, a sufficiently large fire pit with a grill grate, drinking and utility water, as well as an Indian sauna. The facilities thus range from water and bathing options to a kitchen, fire pit and sauna, without implying any specific extent of use. Utility water is water intended for applications that do not require drinking water.

If you would like to consider other destinations besides Svihov, you can also find Nová Pec, Lčovice, Řasnice, Arnostov, Kristanovice, Těšovice, Horní Vltavice and Račov.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Prachatice.