Žihobce combines castle history, nature themes in the former castle park, and marked hiking routes with named destinations. This makes the town an interesting choice for a trip where both culture and outdoor activity are part of the decision. The castle offers an introduction to the history of its architecture; the nature trail runs as a circular route through the former castle park, while two marked routes lead from Žihobce to different destinations. This distinction can help with planning: you can focus on the circular route in the park or consider a route with destinations further afield.

Castle, Museum and Architectural History

Žihobce Castle was built in the Renaissance style in the 17th century and converted into a Baroque castle in 1688. Its architectural history therefore includes different periods. The early Baroque building is rectangular, has one storey and a raised ground floor. Original barrel vaults have been preserved inside, partly complemented by stucco mirrors.

The Lamberská stezka Museum is located in the west wing of the historic castle. The ground floor contains three halls with seasonal exhibitions. If you are planning a museum visit, you can check in advance which exhibits are available during your travel dates. The attic is also a distinctive part of the castle: it is home to a summer colony of lesser horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus hipposideros) and has been designated a site of European importance.

On Foot in the Former Castle Park and Beyond

The Netopýřím parkem nature trail is an approximately 1 km circular route through the former castle park, with five information panels. It also includes an insect habitat made from tree trunks felled during the revitalisation of the castle park. The circular route thus combines information about the grounds with a nature theme directly connected to the history of the park’s revitalisation.

If you are looking for a marked hiking route with named destinations, you can choose between two directions: the yellow trail starts in Žihobce and leads via Strašín to Javorník. The blue trail also starts in the town and runs via Rozsedly and Kadešice to Sušice. The intermediate destinations and endpoints show how the two routes differ, without requiring an assumed walking time.

Žihobce is also a stop on the Lamberská stezka. This stop features a museum in the early Baroque castle and an adjoining English-style park with the Netopýřím parkem nature trail. The Czech section of the Lamberská stezka in Pošumaví is an almost 50 km circular route that can be completed in stages or in individual sections. Planning this longer tour is quite different from walking the approximately 1 km circular route in the park; the Lamberská stezka does not have to be completed all at once.

Church and Other Options

The Neo-Romanesque Church of the Transfiguration was built from 1872 to 1876 on the site of a former Gothic church. It is currently open to the public; visits for religious purposes may be subject to local arrangements. Compared with the castle, whose history dates back to the 17th century, the church represents a later phase in the town’s development.

The TJ Žihobce bathing area also includes tennis courts and a football pitch. If you want to take sports facilities into account when choosing a destination, alongside cultural attractions and hiking options, you can include these facilities in your plans. Žihobce offers cultural attractions, marked trails and other sporting opportunities.

Discover more destinations: Železná Ruda, Dešenice, Hejná, Kovčín, Dolany, Komušín, Strážov, Obytce

See the broader travel overview: Klatovy District.