Jindřichův Hradec District

Between Ponds, Rivers and Border Landscapes

Jindřichův Hradec District lies in southeastern Bohemia; its southern border is also the state border with Austria. Its distinctive character is shaped by the interplay of aquatic landscapes, historic towns and the forested hills of Czech Canada. In the Třeboň Basin, elevations range approximately from 400 to 500 metres. The slowly flowing Lužnice and Nežárka rivers shape extensive marshlands and a large pond landscape. More than 2,500 ponds used for fish farming cover approximately seven percent of the district.

This aquatic landscape is also part of the region’s cultural history. Ponds have been created in the district since the 13th century; in the 16th century, construction reached a significant scale under pond builders such as Štěpánek Netolický and Jakub Krčín of Jelčany. Rožmberk is known as the largest pond in the Czech Republic and covers 720 hectares. The Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area contains around 500 ponds as well as 33 nature reserves and protected natural monuments. The area is also included in a UNESCO listing.

Towns, Castles and Hands-On Discoveries

For cultural trips, you can combine several distinctly different destinations here. The historic centres of Jindřichův Hradec, Třeboň and Slavonice are designated urban heritage reserves. The castle and chateau complex in Jindřichův Hradec is considered the third-largest chateau complex in the Czech Republic. The district museum houses Krýzovy jesličky, considered the largest mechanical nativity scene in the world. The Třeboň monastery, Jindřichův Hradec Chateau and Červená Lhota Chateau are listed as national cultural monuments.

Červená Lhota combines several visitor experiences in one place: an English-style park, a ride in a rented rowing boat and access to the chateau chapel. At Jindřichův Hradec Chateau, the Black Tower can be visited independently and without a guide. The House of Tapestries in Jindřichův Hradec is an interactive museum with demonstrations of hand weaving; the Sv. Florián Aqua Show also complements the town’s cultural offerings.

Czech Canada for Active Days and Family Discoveries

Czech Canada Nature Park covers 18,700 hectares and includes several nature reserves. The documented opportunities range from cycling, hiking, excursions and nature walks to swimming, fishing and water sports on the nature park’s waters. In winter, there are marked cross-country skiing trails and two downhill ski lifts. Landštejn is a significant landmark in the wooded Bohemian-Moravian-Austrian border region; the Renaissance town of Slavonice is highlighted as an architectural feature of Czech Canada.

For a trip with children, the Jindra educational trail provides particularly practical guidance: it passes along the Hamerský Stream, the rocky slopes and boulder-scree forests of the Jindřišské Valley, and natural stream meanders. Each of its 21 information panels contains a section for preschool children and younger schoolchildren. In the Třeboň area, the Cesta kolem Světa forms a 12-kilometre closed loop around Svět Pond. Sixteen information panels explain ecological relationships and typical plant and animal species of the Třeboň landscape, and also cover pond farming, spa operations and folk architecture.

Ponds, marshlands and the signposted circular trail shape the surroundings of Třeboň. Historic town centres, museums and chateau visits are the focus in Jindřichův Hradec; Czech Canada, Slavonice and the area around Landštejn combine border landscapes, a nature park and Renaissance architecture. A narrow-gauge railway built in 1906 runs 46 kilometres north to Obrataň and connects Kamenice nad Lipou and Černovice. The Nežárka cycling route connects Jindřichův Hradec with the Jemčinské Forests, while Dačice offers moderately challenging cycling circuits.

Other places in Jindřichův Hradec District include Ceské Velenice, Halámky, Hamr, Hrachoviste, Jarosov Nad Nezarkou, Lomnice Nad Luznicí, Záblatí U Ponědraže, Lutová, Nová Bystrice, Nová Hlína, Ponedraz, Sedlo, Smrzov, Střížovice U Kunžaku, Suchdol Nad Luznicí, Wittingau, Ceska Olesna, Vícemil, Clunek, Jindrichuv Hradec, Kamenný Malíkov, Lasenice, Nova Vcelnice, Plavsko, Rosec, Starý Bozdechov, Strmilov, Vnorovice, Kardašova Řečice, Slavonice, Straz Nad Nezarkou, Stribrec, Dačice, Staré Město Pod Landštejnem, Volfířov, Staňkov U Třeboně, Blažejov, Budíškovice, Chlum U Třeboně, Dešná U Dačic, Deštná U Jindřichova Hradce, Doňov, Dunajovice, Dvory Nad Lužnicí, Český Rudolec, Číměř, Horní Pěna, Horní Radouň, Lodhéřov, Majdalena, Nová Ves Nad Lužnicí, Novosedly Nad Nežárkou, Pluhův Žďár, Popelín, Rapšach, Staré Hobzí, Jilem, Horní Skrýchov, Hatín, Drunče, Báňovice, Bednárec, Bednáreček, Bořetín U Strmilova, Březina U Deštné, Cep, Cizkrajov, Červený Hrádek, Dívčí Kopy, Dobrohošť U Dačic, Domanín U Třeboně, Studená U Telče, Frahelž, Hadravova Rosička, Heřmaneč, Zahrádky, Dolní Žďár, Horní Meziříčko, Horní Němčice, Horní Slatina, Hospříz, Hříšice, Písečné U Slavonic, Rodvínov, Kačlehy, Klec, Kostelní Radouň, Kostelní Vydří, Peč, Lužnice, Nová Olešná, Okrouhlá Radouň, Pleše, Polště, Ponědrážka, Příbraz, Ratiboř U Jindřichova Hradce, Rosička U Deštné, Světce, Třebětice U Dačic, Újezdec U Kardašovy Řečice, Velký Ratmírov, Višňová U Kardašovy Řečice, Vlčetínec, Vydří, Županovice U Dešné, Třeboň Ii, Horní Lhota, Hrutkov, Kunžak, Řečice, Blato, Jindřichův Hradec 1 and Pístina.

Dačice is also home to the private Vilém Göth Aviation Museum.

For the higher-level travel overview: South Bohemian Region.