Majdalena – River Landscape, Culture and Cycling Routes

Majdalena combines the river landscape of the Lužnice with traces of history and opportunities for cyclists, canoeists and anglers. The town is located in the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area and in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. If you would like to combine nature, water and culture on your trip to the Czech Republic, you will find several clearly distinguishable points of interest here.

Rivers, Canoeing and Sport Fishing

About 3 km beyond Majdalena, the bed of the Lužnice divides into the Stará řeka and the Nová řeka. The Nová řeka is a 13.5 km-long artificial canal with straight sections, built in the 16th century by Jakub Krčín of Jelčany. On the Lužnice, you can travel either through the Stará řeka or through the Nová řeka and then continue via the Nežárka to the Lužnice near Veselí nad Lužnicí. Majdalena also has a public campsite for canoeists.

Sport fishing is possible in the vicinity of Majdalena. The non-trout fishing grounds 421 041 Lužnice 10 A extend from the weir at the confluence of the Nová řeka and Stará řeka to the Šulcův mlýn weir in Tušť. The exact designation of the fishing grounds helps you distinguish this offering from the area's other water-based experiences.

A River Landscape with Protected Habitats

The meandering riverbed of the Lužnice, with numerous oxbow lakes and ponds, provides a habitat for many rare animal and plant species. The Meandry Lužnice Nature Reserve is one of two nature reserves within the municipality of Majdalena. A geological site 1 km north of Majdalena encompasses a 2.8 km-long, meandering section of the Lužnice with floodplains and a network of former river arms.

This landscape is particularly suitable for trip planning that focuses not just on a single destination, but on the different forms of a river: an artificial canal, natural meanders, oxbow lakes and protected areas. Near Majdalena railway station, the important and dangerous Pilař weir is located at a crossroads of hiking trails.

Church, Canals and Regional History

East of the centre of Majdalena, in the direction of the Lužnice, stands the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. It is a late Gothic single-nave building; the choir and part of the nave date from 1534. The high altar features a painting of Saint Mary Magdalene by the Český Krumlov painter J. Philipot from the mid-19th century.

The artificial Zlatá stoka canal also dates from the 16th century. Together with the Nová řeka, it reflects the historical shaping of the water landscape. For a culturally oriented day trip, the church visit can therefore be combined with viewing the canals and the landscape, without reducing the town to a single destination.

Cycling around Majdalena

The Okolo Třeboně educational cycle route includes the Myslivna Barbora station, which focuses on the development of settlement. Barbora is located about 3 km west of the centre of Majdalena. Majdalena is easily accessible to cyclists via safer cycling routes. This makes the town a logical starting point if, during your trip, you would like to explore the development of settlement, the canal landscape and the river floodplains on a single cycling tour.

More Places for Your Research

For further trip planning, you can also view Lodhéřov, Rapšach, Jindrichuv Hradec, Nová Bystrice, Hříšice, Stribrec, Dívčí Kopy and Ceské Velenice.

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