Mezná – Ponds, History and Trails

Mezná combines surroundings shaped by forests and numerous ponds with an unusually large number of traces of local history. If you would like to combine nature, village culture and historical discoveries on your trip, you will find specific points of reference here for further planning.

Forests and Ponds around Mezná

There are a total of sixteen ponds in the cadastral area of Mezná. Three of them cover more than ten hectares: Starosta measures 12.2 hectares, Nový mezenský 11.9 hectares and Těšín 10.7 hectares. These three ponds therefore range in size from 10.7 to 12.2 hectares. Starosta is 0.3 hectares larger than Nový mezenský, which in turn measures 1.2 hectares more than Těšín. Together, the three bodies of water cover 34.8 hectares. The landscape shaped by these water areas thus offers different scales, without requiring you to limit yourself to a single attraction.

Village History at the Tavern, School and Fortification

The former manorial tavern No. 6 stands on the village green and is locally known as the “old tavern”. It is documented in sources as early as the time of the Thirty Years’ War. Martin Zámečník is considered the earliest tavern keeper documented by name; the years 1691–1697 are recorded for him. The former school building is also part of the village’s history: today it houses the Mezná municipal office, and since 2009 it has also been home to Hospůdka Ve Škole. The school operated for a total of 68 years. The former school building thus combines its former function with its present-day use as the municipal office and the location of Hospůdka Ve Škole.

Another historical trace is the Mezná fortified site. The fortification, with a circular ground plan, dates from the 14th century and lies approximately 300 metres southwest of the centre of Mezná.

The Chapel of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary was built shortly after 1828. A former masonry chapel or bell tower had previously stood on the same site. Following repairs to the chapel, the first pilgrimage in Mezná took place in July 1934. The site’s archaeological traces also include bronze arm rings and ceramic shards discovered during a find. They are currently held in the collections of the South Bohemian Museum in České Budějovice.

A Documented Bike Ride through the Surroundings

For planning further excursions, the “Planá nad Lužnicí” bike ride provides a specific regional connection: it leads through Chotěmice, Nová Ves, Mezná and Kvasejovice, and then along a better-developed dirt road towards Zvěrotice. The route complements the local history with an opportunity to discover several places one after another. For planning your day, the route consists of two distinct sections: it first leads through several villages and then along a better-developed dirt road towards Zvěrotice.

More Places to Consider

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Mezná, you can find Chýnov, Obora, Zhoř U Tábora, Tučapy, Nová Ves U Mladé Vožice, Nadějkov, Bechyne and Svatá Anna here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Tábor.