Ratiboř U Jindřichova Hradce between Water and History

Ratiboř U Jindřichova Hradce between Water and History

Ratiboř U Jindřichova Hradce combines an expansive waterscape with traces of medieval history and remarkable religious buildings. Holná Pond covers 244 hectares and lies in the cadastral area of the municipality of Ratiboř. It was created as early as the time of Charles IV and was restored by Jakub Krčín z Jelčan. The island of Naxos is reflected on its surface. The island takes its name from the island of the same name in the Aegean Sea. This Aegean Naxos is designated as a nature biosphere reserve; Naxos in Holná Pond is not the same island.

Wetlands, peat bogs and adjacent wet meadows lie around Matenský Pond. These landscape forms differ markedly from Holná’s open water surface. At Holná, the open water surface defines the character of the landscape; at Matenský Pond, bogs and wet meadows shape the surroundings of the body of water.

Trails, Forests and Swimming at Holná

A marked hiking trail runs along the dam of Holná. A cycle path also follows the dam through the extensive Jemčina forests to the former Jemčina hunting lodge. The hiking trail runs beside the body of water, while the cycling route leads into the forests and onward to the former hunting lodge. Swimming is possible at several places at Holná Pond. The marked hiking trail stays beside the body of water, while the cycling route runs through the extensive Jemčina forests to the former Jemčina hunting lodge; swimming is possible at several places at Holná.

Historic Places around Ratiboř

The present-day building of Svatá Barbora is late Gothic and was first documented in 1503. Svatá Barbora is privately owned, was restored by the owners and is currently not accessible to the public. The interior is currently not open to the public.

Above Ratiboř, the small fortification known as Čestův hrádek was built to protect the old land route from Austria through the area towards Tábor. The old land route ran from Austria through the area around Ratiboř towards Tábor. Čestův hrádek was abandoned sometime after 1417 and destroyed during the Hussite Wars. No structural remains of the site survive; the place continues to bear the name Hrad.

The chapel in Ratiboř dedicated to the Virgin Mary was built in 1780. The chapel on Ratiboř village square stands in the upper part of the square and is lined with lime trees. The chapel dating from 1780 was built later than the late-Gothic Svatá Barbora; the latter was already first documented in 1503.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

More destinations for planning your trip include Kamenný Malíkov, Dvory Nad Lužnicí, Plavsko, Strmilov, Halámky, Bednáreček, Lutová and Budíškovice.

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