Žár brings together a historically preserved street village and the history of a large pond close to the village. The settlement structure follows the course of the original country road along which the settlement was laid out. The road’s course is therefore part of the historic form of the place itself. Alongside the village’s history, the Žárský Pond also shapes the themes that help define Žár as a travel destination.

Village History and Landscape

Two different dates are important for the village’s early history: Žár was first mentioned in writing in 1186; its current name is attested from 1221. The dates refer to different things: the first mention of the place and the recorded use of its current name. Only part of the administrative area of the municipality of Žár belongs to the Novohradsko Landscape Conservation Area. The village’s appearance and the landscape conservation area represent different spatial scales: the street layout shapes the historic form of the settlement of Žár, while the area covers only part of the municipality’s administrative territory.

The Žárský Pond

The Žárský Pond is located right next to the village of Žár. It lies in the area of the Vitorazská trade route between Trhové Sviny and Nové Hrady and was mentioned as early as 1221. The year 1221 therefore appears in two separate contexts: as the date when the current name of the village was recorded and as a mention of the pond. The Buquoy family had a pleasure palace built on an island in the Žárský Pond; it has since disappeared. The history of the island estate adds a specific historical reference to information about the pond’s location and size. At 120 hectares, the Žárský Pond is the largest pond in the Novohradsko region.

Circular Routes and Other Trails

Two circular routes have the same total length of 54 kilometres: Pamětí Slepičích hor has 21 stops, while Pamětí Novohradska has 19. Pamětí Novohradska is an educational circular route with information boards about the history of individual places. Length alone therefore does not distinguish the routes; the number of stops and historical focus are practical points of comparison when choosing a route based on its content.

For Pamětí Novohradska, there is also information about the surface: around 90 per cent of the route follows paved asphalt roads, but some sections are suitable only for mountain bikes and trekking bikes. Between Žár and Žumberk, Pamětí Novohradska overlaps with the Slepičích hor route. The Za Janem Žižkou na Trhovosvinensku route passes through Žár; the Za pivem na Trhovosvinensku route also passes through the village. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the latest route conditions. For Za pivem na Trhovosvinensku, you should also check the signage. When choosing a bike, take the suitability of individual sections into account, as well as the high proportion of asphalt.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Všemyslice, Slavče, Pfaffendorf, Horní Slověnice, Vráto, Hosty, Adamstadt, Srubec.

Return to the regional travel overview: Okres České Budějovice.