The Blana natural monument, the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and the Schwarzenberg Jubilee Groves represent different aspects of a stay in Zahájí. If you want to plan your trip around a particular interest, you can find nature, architectural history and places of remembrance here.

Blana and nature

The Blana natural monument lies within the administrative area of the municipality of Zahájí and covers part of the Zahájí u Hluboké nad Vltavou cadastral area. It covers 30.60 ha. Populations of eight amphibian species are found at this nature site.

The church and its architectural history

The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary was built as an early Gothic church at the end of the 13th century. In the second half of the 15th century, a second nave was added; after the fire of 1742, the church was remodelled in the Baroque style. The surviving two-nave building comprises a presbytery, sacristy and a prismatic tower. Notable features include the portals of the two western entrances and a late Gothic stone saddle portal between the presbytery and sacristy. Several building phases can thus be distinguished in the church: from the early Gothic structure through the extension to the Baroque remodelling.

A walk to the Schwarzenberg Jubilee Groves

The walk to the Schwarzenberg Jubilee Groves starts in Zahájí village square and follows cycle route 1080 for about 1 km to the forest. The walk takes approximately 1.5 hours and follows paved paths through gently sloping terrain.

The Schwarzenberg Jubilee Groves were planted around the turn of the 20th century in honour of the 80th birthdays of two princes from the House of Schwarzenberg, with 80 English oaks. Three mighty oaks and a memorial stone bearing a German inscription survive from the older of the two groves. This excursion combines an easy-to-follow route with a distinctive historical feature of the landscape.

Places of remembrance and activities

The battle known as the “Battle of Zahájí” took place on 25 May 1742 during the War of the Austrian Succession and claimed more than 300 lives. Other places of remembrance are located at various points: Černá kaplička is a stone wayside shrine on the outskirts of Zahájí, in the direction of Olešník. A memorial plaque there commemorates fallen French soldiers. Bílá kaplička stands beyond Zahájí at a former crossroads in the direction of Olešník. Between Zahájí and Munice, at a crossroads in the direction of Zliv, a memorial cross with a plaque stands above the grave of Austrian soldiers.

A recurring local event adds another distinctive touch: Zahájí hosts “Competition for the best spicy goulash and farewell to summer” (“Soutěž o nejlepší jad(e)rný guláš a loučení s létem”). The event has already been held for the seventh time; its programme caters to all age groups. As individual dates are time-limited, it is worth checking the event details before your trip.

For cyclists, the “Circuit from Zliv through Blata” cycling trip follows cycle route CT1080 from Mydlovary to Zahájí.

Discover more destinations

Hartowitz, Roudné, Dobschitz, Neplachov, Mazelov, Plav, Ledenice, Dehtar

For the broader travel overview: České Budějovice District.