Přední Zvonková: Border History and Cycling Routes

Přední Zvonková combines a long history as a border area with cycling connections through the Šumava landscape. The settlement area associated with the town originated in the 17th century; the state border protection regime did not end until 1989. Historical connections to the Schwarzenberský Canal and routes with different itineraries give your trip a cultural and historical or active focus.

Border History and Changing Settlements

The settlement area associated with Přední Zvonková, Zvonková, was founded in the second half of the 17th century. Settlement took place in a then-inaccessible, forested mountain region on the historic provincial border. Later, the Zvonková area was subject to a state border protection regime until the end of 1989. Its history therefore spans settlement in the early modern period through to the end of border protection in the late 20th century.

Přední Zvonková was incorporated into Horní Planá as a settlement. By contrast, Zadní Zvonková, Huťský Dvůr and Josefův Důl were almost entirely lost, with only a few exceptions. This distinction makes the transformation of the settlement landscape tangible: the history of the area encompasses both a place incorporated into Horní Planá and settlements that largely disappeared.

Zadní Zvonková is another historic point of interest, 1.8 kilometres southwest of Přední Zvonková by the Schwarzenberský Canal. A Neo-Gothic church stands there, rebuilt after a fire between 1878 and 1880. The precise distance and the named canal place this church in the history of the neighbouring settlement. For those interested in cultural history, it adds to the picture of how the settlement area as a whole developed.

Routes with Different Focuses

The “Za Schwarzenberskou historií” route links several stops in a set sequence: it runs from Nová Pec via the Schwarzenberský Canal, Zadní Zvonková and Přední Zvonková to the ferry in Horní Planá, then back to Nová Pec. Including this route in your travel plans gives you an itinerary that does not end at a single place, but connects the named stops. Check local conditions before setting out.

The Rakouská cycling route connects Přední Zvonková with the ferry in Bližší Lhota and with Horní Planá. It runs through the Šumava landscape on both the Czech and Austrian sides. The ferry in Bližší Lhota operates seasonally; check the timetable for your travel dates. This connection is therefore a different planning option from the “Za Schwarzenberskou historií” route, which is described as a sequence of places followed by a return to Nová Pec.

The route along the right bank of the Lipno Reservoir also offers guidance for planning your trip: Přední Zvonková is one of the places where you can find food and drink along the route. If you plan to stop there, check current opening hours. You can plan individual stops to suit your intended itinerary.

The routes differ mainly in the connections they describe: “Za Schwarzenberskou historií” passes several historic stops before returning to Nová Pec; Rakouská connects Přední Zvonková with Bližší Lhota and Horní Planá. This can help you decide whether a set themed route or the cycling connection should be the focus of your stay.

Choose Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

If you are looking for hotels for a stay in Přední Zvonková, first decide what you want to focus on: the settlement’s history and Zadní Zvonková give the trip a cultural and historical dimension, while the routes offer different options for active travel planning. For the Rakouská cycling route, seasonal ferry operations in Bližší Lhota should be taken into account when planning your dates.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Hory, Manava, Pernek, Žlábek.

Go to the overview of the wider area: Oberplan.