Žichovice lies on the right bank of the Otava. Those interested in historic buildings will find several distinct points of interest here: two stone bridges, the castle with its Baroque sundials, and the Chapel of St Aloysius. There is also a cycling route along the river. The buildings offer different historical highlights, while the cycling route adds a separate focus along the river.
Two Bridges, Different Designs
The Dolní Bridge is an old stone road bridge with two segmental arches. It crosses the stream on the road towards Rabí and probably dates back to the early 17th century. The Horní Bridge crosses the stream towards the České dráhy railway station. It is a partially preserved stone bridge with two arches and almost semicircular vaults. It probably dates from the 18th century; in the mid-20th century, a modern structure was added to it. The designs offer different highlights: the segmental arches define the Dolní Bridge, while the almost semicircular vaults and later addition distinguish the Horní Bridge.
Castle Views, Sundials and a Statue
Žichovice Castle is not open to the public. It can be viewed from the castle park. The Baroque sundials are on the south side of the north wing, and they can be freely accessed from the path around the castle. They date from around 1888. Another historic feature is the Baroque statue of St John of Nepomuk. It originally stood on the bridge to the castle. After the 1890 flood, it was moved to a spot in front of the bridge and later, in 1912, to a spot in front of the castle.
The Chapel of St Aloysius
The Chapel of St Aloysius stands in the centre of Žichovice. Before it was consecrated, it had remained unfinished for 40 years; it was consecrated on 16 June 1861. In terms of dating, it differs from the bridges: their dates of origin are given as probable, whereas the chapel’s consecration has a specific date. The long period during which it remained unfinished and the precisely dated consecration mark two distinct points in its building history.
A Cycling Route as a Different Perspective
The Otavská cycling route runs just beyond Žichovice on a paved, traffic-free stretch along the river to the limeworks near Velké Hydčice. Unlike the permanent buildings, it is a cycling option along the Otava with a named destination. If cycling is one of your travel interests, you can consider this stretch alongside the cultural and historical attractions when choosing where to stay.
Local History or Cycling?
When looking for a holiday apartment, a simple way to decide is to ask yourself what matters most: if local history and buildings are the priority, focus on the bridges, sundials and chapel; if you want cycling to be part of your stay, you can also include the stretch of the Otavská cycling route in your choice of destination.
Discover more destinations: Dlouhá Ves U Susice, Zborovy, Horní Staňkov, Lukoviste, Bukovník, Předslav, Žihobce, Ostřetice.
For the broader travel overview: Okres Klatovy.
