Smetanova Lhota

Smetanova Lhota combines a long history of settlement with distinctive village greens, preserved communal ponds and small historic buildings. Paths, summer cultural evenings and events also offer possible reasons to visit. You can get to know the village through both its architectural features and local life.

Village Greens, Ponds and Settlement History

The large elliptical village green is a defining feature of Smetanova Lhota. Regularly laid-out plots for farmsteads give the settlement plan a clear structure. A communal pond has been preserved on the green to this day, adding a lasting landscape feature to the open village centre. Lhota Králova also has a large elliptical green with regularly laid-out farmstead plots and a preserved communal pond. The comparison shows a shared settlement form without treating the two places as one and the same.

Smetanova Lhota’s history dates back to the mid-13th century, when an order founded the settlement. It was named Smetanova Lhota after its locator and first judge, Smetana. Small cottages belonging to cottagers from the first half of the 18th century also stand on the village green. Their modest scale provides a tangible architectural contrast with the green’s spacious layout and brings several periods of the village’s history to life.

Chapels and Historic Buildings Nearby

Northeast of Smetanova Lhota, along the road to Vrábsko, stands the Výklenková kaple Biskupů, about 500 metres from the village. The niche chapel has a narrow rectangular ground plan and a segmental niche; it is thought to date from the mid-19th century. Another niche chapel, the Výklenková kaple Kocábů, is northeast of the village, by a bridge over the Skalice. It differs in its square ground plan, semicircular niches, cornice and hipped roof. It is thought to date from the first half of the 19th century. These architectural forms offer a clear comparison between two small chapels without conflating their different locations and details.

Southwest of Smetanova Lhota, nearby, is the Karlov hunting lodge. It is accompanied by a landscaped park in the valley of the Lomnice, on the river’s left bank. This manor building adds a different historical note to the more modest-scale history of the village.

Routes, Cultural Evenings and Local Activities

Cycle Route 1158 passes through Smetanova Lhota. A blue-marked tourist route also runs through the village. These provide different ways to make your stay active; no connection between the routes is implied. As the route listings are undated, check the current signage before setting out.

In the summer months, the local SDH holds two open-air cultural evenings. They are called “Večery na návsi”. If one of these evenings is important to your travel plans, check the event date in advance. An association also holds the annual football tournament “Memoriál Vladislava Panýrka”. A reservation system is available for the multi-purpose sports ground in Smetanova Lhota; check the booking conditions before use.

Choose Accommodation for Your Stay

The categories listed describe how to search; individual properties may also be outside the village. When choosing where to stay, you can also consider whether you mainly want to explore the village green and historic buildings, attend an event or use the routes on offer.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Přeborov, Králova Lhota, Křižanov, Probulov, Vadkovice, Drhovle, Podolí I, Mišovice.

Back to the regional travel overview: Písek District.