Kienberg – Vltava, Nature and History

The banks of the Vltava, granite boulders, protected landscapes, and industrial and ecclesiastical history give Loučovice a distinct character. If you are looking for accommodation in Kienberg, you can use these themes as a guide for planning your trip: nature, marked trails, water, and historical discoveries lie side by side here as different focal points of a journey.

Nature along the Vltava

Several protected landscape areas are located within the cadastral territory of Loučovice. These include Vyšebrodsko Nature Park, Medvědí hora Nature Monument, Čertova stěna–Luč National Nature Reserve, and the Rašeliniště Kapličky protected area. These different protection categories represent a landscape that cannot be reduced to a single natural feature. The Čertova stěna–Luč area is particularly striking: there, the Vltava flows through a natural riverbed filled with large granite boulders, known as Čertovy proudy.

Hiking, cycling, and the border region

Marked hiking and cycling routes connect Loučovice with Lipno nad Vltavou, Vyšší Brod, and the Austrian border region. This gives you a clear choice between different types of activities when planning your trip, without having to commit to a single destination. The cross-border Dürnau cycling crossing is also a popular destination. This makes it possible to plan a trip that combines nature observation, physical activity, and the Bohemian-Austrian border region.

Industrial history and a remarkable railway line

An unusual part of the town's history is the paper mill in Loučovice. Arnošt Porák founded it in the 1880s. Around the turn of the 20th century, the mill employed more than 1,000 people. The railway line from Certlov to Lipno provides another historical highlight. It was built between 1909 and 1911 and was the second electrified railway line in Bohemia. Together, these facts make it clear that the Vltava region is shaped not only by its landscape but also by its industrial and transport history.

Churches and cultural monuments in Loučovice

The Church of Saint Procopius is located in Loučovice on the left bank of the Vltava. The Chapel of Saint Procopius, also known as the Chapel of Saint Jost, is said to have been founded in 1361 by Jošt (?) of Rosenberg and rebuilt in the 16th century. It is listed as a cultural monument in the Czech heritage register. The cautious wording of its founding history is part of the tradition and should not be equated with a confirmed date.

The Church of Saint Ulrich stands on the right bank of the Vltava. It was built in the 1480s on the site of an earlier chapel dedicated to Saint Theobald, which Ulrich of Rosenberg had founded in 1361. After the church burned down in the 16th century, it was restored between 1640 and 1644. The two churches on opposite banks of the Vltava and the history of the older chapel give Loučovice a clearly perceptible historical depth.

Water as landscape and memory

Čertovy proudy represent more than just an impressive riverbed. On Sunday, 26 September 1954, the first annual water slalom event was held there; the race was organized by the TJ Tatran Loučovice water sports club. If you would like to combine nature and culture, this connection between the river landscape and sporting history offers an independent way of exploring the region. For further trip planning, you can also consider Nové Domky as an additional place to visit.

For the overarching travel overview: Český Krumlov District.

Other destinations

Other places within the same destination:

Polletitz, Goldenkron, Oemau, Malsching, Ceske Chalupy, Dluhoste, Lippen.