Želnava offers visitors several distinct points of interest: village history, nature and agriculture. Želnava is easily accessible via the main road between Volary and Horní Planá. The village is home to the originally Gothic Church of St. James and a historic waterworks structure on the village square; there is also the Naučná stezka Želnavskem nature trail, the Houska Nature Reserve west of the village, and a farm in the settlement of Slunečná, which belongs to Želnava. You can choose your destination based on whether you are most interested in historic buildings, a waymarked route, a moorland landscape or agricultural topics.
Church and Waterworks
The Church of St. James in Želnava is originally Gothic and dates from the 14th century. On the village square is an unusual historic waterworks structure in the form of a large stone cylinder. The water distributor dates from the early 19th century. It channelled spring water to the village’s individual buildings through wooden pipes, using gravity. The church and water distributor offer two different perspectives on the village’s history: sacred architecture and the technical distribution of water in the village.
Nature Trail and Želnavský vrch
Information panels along the Naučná stezka Želnavskem nature trail provide information about local nature and history; the route leads up Želnavský vrch. The nearly seven-kilometre circular route starts and ends at the Church of St. James in Želnava. Želnavský vrch is 815 metres high and is the highest point of the Vltavická brázda. From the summit, there are panoramic views of the Vltava meanders, the Bohemian Forest range and the church in Želnava. The figures refer to different things: nearly seven kilometres is the length of the circular route, while 815 metres is the summit elevation.
Houska Nature Reserve
The Houska Nature Reserve lies west of Želnava in the Vltava Valley. It protects a moor that transitions into bog pine forests and waterlogged spruce forests. This is a different focus from the nature trail: its panels provide information about local nature and history, while Houska focuses on protecting this transition between moorland and forest.
Timber Transport and Waltershausen Castle
The Želnavský smyk is part of the region’s history: it enabled timber to be transported from the forests to the Vltava. This allowed the Schwarzenberg Floating Canal to retain its importance, even after the end of the Vienna timber rafting operation in the late 19th century, along its more than 22-kilometre section between Rasovka and Světlá voda near the Bavarian border. Another historic landmark is Waltershausen Castle. It was built in the 1360s on a prominent hill between Želnava and Pernek and was intended to protect the Zlatá Koruna settlements occupied by Vyšehrad.
Agriculture in Slunečná
In Slunečná, a settlement belonging to Želnava, visitors can see animals at Biofarma na Slunečné and learn about its farming methods. Homemade organic products such as meat, milk, cheese, eggs, honey and potatoes are available to buy. Activities and product availability may change; check what is currently on offer before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Lužice U Netolic, Hracholusky, Nove Hute, Dub U Prachatic, Pravetín, Krtely, Řasnice, Žernovice
For the broader travel overview: Okres Prachatice.
