Lutová – Village Heritage Zone Between History and Ponds

Lutová lies in a gently undulating landscape in the southeastern part of the Třeboň Basin. The village combines a distinctive rural history with ponds, protected landscapes and routes for cyclists. Particularly characteristic is the elongated village green, around which historic buildings and several routes for exploring the surrounding area are concentrated.

Historic Village with a Landmark Church

The originally Gothic Church of All Saints stands on a hill northwest of the village green and forms Lutová’s visual landmark. Its history dates back to 1359, when it was founded by the Vítkovci family. In 1615, the church was rebuilt in the late Renaissance style; it received its tower in 1875. The adjacent cemetery also contains the remains of a Stations of the Cross dating from the second half of the 18th century.

The church’s position on the hill and the remains of the Stations of the Cross in the adjacent cemetery add a second historic point of reference to the village green. Those exploring Lutová on foot can connect different aspects of the village’s character: the elevated church site, the farmsteads along the open space and the chapel on the village green.

The village green itself also tells the story of the village’s development. Three-part farmsteads with their gables facing the street are arranged around the elongated open space. The brick buildings date from around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Their simple, sparsely decorated appearance is connected with the rebuilding after the great fire of 1875. The village green is also home to a niche chapel dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk, dating from the mid-19th century. Since 1990, Lutová has been designated a village heritage zone.

Ponds, Nature and Cycle Paths

For an excursion into the countryside, the Mikuláš Ruthard educational trail is a good choice. It runs from the embankment of Hejtman Pond along the red-marked route, passing the Nový Hospodář and Starý Hospodář ponds on the way to Lutová. The route is classified as an easy cycling educational trail with a length of 10 km. It presents the natural wealth of the ponds and the old fruit varieties grown in the area around Lutová. This makes it possible to discover the landscape not only as a backdrop, but also through its bodies of water and regional forms of cultivation.

Lutová lies in Zone III of the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area and in the Třeboňsko Bird Protection Area. Those wishing to combine historic village culture with nature experiences when planning their trip can arrange their stay around the village green or include excursions along the educational trail and cycle paths. Cycle routes 1010, 1011 and 1035 meet on the village green, making the village a clear point of orientation for various cycling excursions without the protected landscape losing its tranquil character.

More Destinations for Your Research

For further travel planning, you can also research Nova Vcelnice, Český Rudolec, Heřmaneč, Novosedly Nad Nežárkou, Nová Olešná, Vydří, Jarosov Nad Nezarkou and Ceska Olesna.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Jindřichův Hradec.