When planning a trip, two themes go hand in hand in Prední Zvonková: border and settlement history, and named cycling routes. You can explore the development of the settlements and the area’s historic border location, or place the village within a route that passes through several stops. A specific architectural landmark adds another point of interest in Zadní Zvonková; the cycling connections, in turn, offer different reference points. Those interested in history can explore the settlement’s development and the church, while cyclists can compare the named routes.

Settlement history on the historic border

The settlement area of Zvonková, associated with Přední Zvonková, was founded in the second half of the 17th century. At that time, a previously inaccessible, forested mountain region along the historic provincial border was settled. A much later historical period extends to the end of 1989: until then, the Zvonková area was subject to a state border protection regime. To put these details in context, it is worth considering the two dates, which are far apart, separately. The settlement describes the origins of the settlement area; border protection refers to a later political framework. Together, these details show how the history of the settlement is connected to its historic border location.

The settlement’s history also reveals different paths of development. Přední Zvonková was incorporated into the municipality of Horní Planá, while Zadní Zvonková, Huťský Dvůr and Josefův Důl disappeared, with only a few exceptions. The contrast between incorporation and near-total disappearance shows that these places did not share the same historical development.

Zadní Zvonková and the Schwarzenberský Canal

A specific architectural landmark can be found in Zadní Zvonková. The village lies 1.8 kilometres southwest of Přední Zvonková, on the Schwarzenberský Canal. It is home to a Gothic Revival church, rebuilt between 1878 and 1880 after a fire. The canal-side location and the church’s history add a second perspective to the story of the settlement: alongside changes to the village landscape, the focus here is on the rebuilding of a specific structure. If you are particularly interested in architecture, the church offers a clearly defined point of interest in the region’s history.

Cycling routes and finding your way

Two routes can be distinguished for cycling plans by looking at the stops they include. “Za Schwarzenberskou historií” runs from Nová Pec via the Schwarzenberský Canal, Zadní Zvonková and Přední Zvonková to the ferry in Horní Planá, and then back to Nová Pec. This makes Prední Zvonkova part of a longer sequence rather than the starting point of the route; Nová Pec is both the start and end point. If you want to connect several named places of historical interest on one route, you can use this sequence as a guide for further planning.

The Rakouská cycling route has a different focus. It connects Přední Zvonková with the ferry in Bližší Lhota and Horní Planá, passing through the Šumava landscape on both the Czech and Austrian sides. By comparison, “Za Schwarzenberskou historií” describes a route from Nová Pec that returns there, while Rakouská highlights connections involving the ferry and Horní Planá, as well as its cross-border landscape. Ferry services are seasonal; check before planning.

Food and drink also matter when navigating the routes: a route along the right bank of the Lipno Reservoir lists Přední Zvonková as a place with options for refreshments.

Discover more destinations: Žlábek, Manava, Hory, Pernek

For the main travel overview: Horní Planá.