More than 2,500 fishponds, historic town centres and a long architectural history shape Jindřichův Hradec District. The district lies in the southeast of Bohemia; its southern boundary is also the state border with Austria. The landscape stretches from the pond region to Česká Kanada Nature Park, offering a variety of reasons to explore.

Ponds, rivers and a long history

In the Třeboň Basin, the elevation is around 400 to 500 metres. The gently sloping Lužnice and Nežárka rivers contribute to extensive wetlands and a vast pond landscape. More than 2,500 ponds used for fish farming cover approximately seven per cent of the district. Here, the waterscape and human intervention are closely intertwined.

Ponds have been created in the district since the 13th century. Pond construction underwent a major expansion in the 16th century, including under Štěpánek Netolický and Jakub Krčín of Jelčany. Rožmberk is listed as the largest pond in the Czech Republic, with an area stated as 720 hectares. Published area figures may vary depending on the measurement method. This long history gives the pond landscape a dimension that extends beyond individual bodies of water.

Historic town centres and distinctive collections

The historic centres of Jindřichův Hradec, Třeboň and Slavonice are designated urban heritage reserves. Jindřichův Hradec is also notable for its castle and chateau complex, the third-largest of its kind in Czechia. The Krýza’s Crèche, considered the world’s largest mechanical nativity scene, is housed in the Jindřichův Hradec District Museum. The town’s history, grand architecture and unusual collection each make their own impression.

Other notable buildings can be found beyond Jindřichův Hradec: Třeboň Monastery, Jindřichův Hradec Chateau and Červená Lhota Chateau are national cultural monuments. Červená Lhota offers an English-style park, a boat trip in a rented rowboat and access to the chateau chapel. Specific access arrangements may change; check them before your visit. At Jindřichův Hradec Chateau, the Black Tower can be visited independently, without a guided tour; here, too, it is advisable to check the latest visitor information.

Those interested in crafts will find an interactive museum at the Tapestry House in Jindřichův Hradec, with demonstrations of hand weaving. Dačice is also home to the private Vilém Göth Aviation Museum. The two places thus focus on different subjects: textile crafts in one, aviation history in the other.

Czech Canada: nature, trails and winter activities

Česká Kanada Nature Park covers 18,700 hectares and includes several nature reserves. The region offers opportunities for cycling, hiking, excursions and walks in nature. Activities on the water include swimming, fishing and water sports. In winter, there are marked cross-country ski trails and two downhill ski lifts. The options therefore vary according to interests and season, from water activities to winter trails.

Among the prominent landmarks in the forested border region between Bohemia, Moravia and Austria is Landštejn Castle. Slavonice, meanwhile, is noted for its Renaissance architecture. Together with the designated historic town centres, these places showcase different aspects of the region’s cultural heritage: a castle that stands out on the landscape and a town distinguished by its Renaissance architecture.

Educational trails and finding your way around

In Třeboň, the circular Cesta kolem Světa trail runs for twelve kilometres around Svět Pond. Its 16 information panels explain ecological relationships and typical plant and animal species of the Třeboň landscape. The trail also covers the history of fish farming, spa treatments and folk architecture. It thus combines nature topics with the cultural history of the area.

The Jindra Educational Trail follows the Hamerský Stream and passes through the rocky Jindřišské údolí valley, along scree forests and the stream’s natural meanders. Each of its 21 information panels includes a section for preschool and younger school-age children. The Nežárka Cycle Route connects Jindřichův Hradec with the Jemčinské Woods; Dačice also has medium-difficulty cycling circuits. A second narrow-gauge railway dates from 1906 and runs 46 kilometres north to Obrataň, connecting with Kamenice nad Lipou and Černovice. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable in advance.

When looking for somewhere to stay, it can help to first decide on the focus of your trip: historic town centres, the pond landscape, or the nature and leisure activities in Česká Kanada. This can help you narrow down the district according to the discoveries that interest you most.

Discover more destinations:

Jindrichuv Hradec, Kamenný Malíkov, Lasenice, Nova Vcelnice, Plavsko, Rosec, Starý Bozdechov, Strmilov, Vnorovice, Ceské Velenice, Halámky, Hamr, Hrachoviste, Jarosov Nad Nezarkou, Lomnice Nad Luznicí, Lutová, Nová Bystrice, Nová Hlína, Ponedraz, Sedlo, Smrzov, Střížovice U Kunžaku, Suchdol Nad Luznicí, Wittingau, Ceska Olesna, Vícemil, Clunek, Stribrec, Slavonice, Kardašova Řečice, Straz Nad Nezarkou, Dačice, Staré Město Pod Landštejnem, Volfířov, Staňkov U Třeboně, Blažejov, Budíškovice, Chlum U Třeboně, Dešná U Dačic, Deštná U Jindřichova Hradce, Doňov, Dunajovice, Dvory Nad Lužnicí, Český Rudolec, Číměř, Horní Pěna, Horní Radouň, Lodhéřov, Majdalena, Nová Ves Nad Lužnicí, Novosedly Nad Nežárkou, Pluhův Žďár, Popelín, Rapšach, Staré Hobzí, Jilem, Horní Skrýchov, Hatín, Drunče, Báňovice, Bednárec, Bednáreček, Bořetín U Strmilova, Březina U Deštné, Cep, Cizkrajov, Červený Hrádek, Dívčí Kopy, Dobrohošť U Dačic, Domanín U Třeboně, Studená U Telče, Frahelž, Hadravova Rosička, Heřmaneč, Zahrádky, Dolní Žďár, Horní Meziříčko, Horní Němčice, Horní Slatina, Hospříz, Hříšice, Písečné U Slavonic, Rodvínov, Kačlehy, Klec, Kostelní Radouň, Kostelní Vydří, Peč, Lužnice, Nová Olešná, Okrouhlá Radouň, Pleše, Polště, Ponědrážka, Příbraz, Ratiboř U Jindřichova Hradce, Rosička U Deštné, Světce, Třebětice U Dačic, Újezdec U Kardašovy Řečice, Velký Ratmírov, Višňová U Kardašovy Řečice, Vlčetínec, Vydří, Županovice U Dešné, Třeboň Ii, Horní Lhota, Hrutkov, Záblatí U Ponědraže, Kunžak, Řečice, Blato, Jindřichův Hradec 1, Pístina.

For the broader travel overview: South Bohemian Region.