Three routes on the Naučná stezka Kovářovska pass through a landscape of forests, hills and ponds; historic buildings and folklore give the village its own cultural character. Kovářov can therefore be explored through both its local history and the traditions and landscape of the Kovářovsko region.
Church, Village Character and Folk Culture
At the centre of Kovářov, the single-nave Gothic Church of All Saints stands at the northwest corner of the village square. It is considered the oldest monument in the village and was already a parish church in 1220. Its position on the square and its importance to the village’s appearance make it a notable part of local architectural history. The old Baroque rectory dates from 1739. Its mansard roof is typical of buildings on the Orlík estate.
The Kalvárie sculpture group is also among Kovářov’s significant historical monuments. The village is also home to a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk from the workshop of sculptor Brokoff. When considering the region, it is important to distinguish between Kovářov and Kovářovsko: Kovářovsko belongs to the ethnographic region of Kozácko, also known as Táborsko-Milevsko.
Kovářovskétradice.cz preserves and presents folk songs, dances, customs and traditional costumes, as well as theatre activities and selected folk crafts. Alongside historic buildings, the focus is therefore also on cultural expressions connected with local tradition.
The Jihočeský Folklórní Festival takes place annually in Kovářov around the turn of May and June. The festival was founded in 1996. Its programme includes performances by South Bohemian folklore ensembles, as well as guests from other ethnographic regions of Czechia and from abroad. A folk market, craft workshops and tastings of old Bohemian cuisine round out the visitor programme; some accompanying events may vary from one edition to another. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates of the specific event.
Nature Trails and the Landscape of Kovářovsko
The Naučná stezka Kovářovska comprises three routes with a total of 21 stops and an overall length of 50 kilometres. The stops correspond to those covering the folk traditions of Kovářovsko, connecting the theme of the landscape with regional culture. Kovářovsko is pleasantly hilly, with numerous hills, forests and many larger and smaller ponds. This landscape supports a diverse range of plant and animal life. Striking rock formations and boulders of various shapes are also among its defining natural features.
Another way to discover places and themes in the region is the geolocation game “Objevte Kovářovsko”. Using an interactive mobile app, it guides you to 56 places of interest and includes information, photos, illustrations, maps and tasks. Once downloaded, it can be played offline. You can start at a place of your choice, complete the stages in any order, and pause at any time and continue later. Before your trip, check whether the game is currently available and whether the app is compatible with your device.
A Place to Visit Nearby
The Zeměráj adventure park is located near Kovářov, outside the village centre. The park covers nine hectares and combines an open-air museum featuring an early medieval village with a range of play and learning activities. These include a one-kilometre barefoot trail, a bird trail, archaeological and palaeontological sites, a large maze, a children’s play village, a water playground, an interactive play world and an archery range. There are more than 100 games and tasks in total; examples include the treasure hunt “Cesta za pokladem”, the orienteering game “Hlaholam” and the search games “Kamene času” and “Klenoty přírody”.
The yellow-marked footpath from Kovářov to the adventure park is two kilometres long. Check the route and trail markings before setting out. There is also a cycling connection: the “Kde domov můj” cycle route passes through Kovářov, including along roads 1154 and 1156; the adventure park can be reached via a detour.
Discover more destinations: Jetětice, Varvazov, Zběšičky, Jestrebice, Vadkovice, Ostrovec, Písecká Smoleč, Přeborov.
For the broader travel overview: Písek District.
