Zábrdí lies above the Blanice River in a varied landscape at an average elevation of 642 metres above sea level. The elevation figure describes an average for the village; its position above the Blanice, by contrast, describes its relationship to the river. This gives you several different topics to explore when planning your trip: the nativity scene collection, a documentary reference dating to 1359, the biography of Josef Hasil and protected nature. The place name refers to a village situated behind a hill or behind the Brd. The name therefore offers a linguistic connection to the landscape, alongside the specific details about the river and elevation.

The Museum of Paper Nativity Scenes

The Museum of Paper Nativity Scenes in Zábrdí u Husince houses a collection of almost 900 nativity scenes from around the world; 99 percent of them are made of paper. The collection thus combines two distinct features: international origins and a very high proportion of paper scenes. If you are interested in paper art or nativity scenes, the museum offers a specific cultural attraction to consider when planning your stay. It is open every day, seven days a week. Check the opening information before travelling, as it may change. The size of the collection may also change as new exhibits are added.

Historical Document and Biography

A document issued in 1359 names Zábrdí among the villages listed in connection with the granting of estates to Petr of Janovice and his heirs. Another historical connection is Josef Hasil: he was born in Zábrdí u Prachatic on 8 February 1924, was a former smuggler in the Bohemian Forest and later an agent of the American intelligence service CIC. He was known as the “King of the Bohemian Forest.” The two references highlight different things: the document names the village in connection with a legal act, while Hasil’s birthplace and nickname link Zábrdí to a personal story from the 20th century and to the Bohemian Forest.

The River and Protected Natural Features

The Blanice River and its surroundings are protected because of the river’s natural course and its sandy to gravelly bed substrate. Bed substrate refers to the material at the bottom of the riverbed; the reasons for protection therefore include both the natural course and the sandy, gravelly bed. The V polích protected area safeguards a site with a rich population of the Lesser Butterfly-orchid. The Lesser Butterfly-orchid is an orchid, giving the site a clear botanical focus. The protected features are therefore distinct: along the Blanice, the focus is on the river course and its bed substrate; at V polích, it is on a protected plant population. At a crossroads on the western edge of the village stands a black locust protected as a natural monument, next to a cross bearing the year 1871. The Zábrdská Cave lies below the road to the mill. The black locust is located by the western edge of the village, at the crossroads and next to the cross; the cave is located below the road to the mill.

Discover more destinations: Hrbov, Žernovice, Nicov, Chlumany, Svatá Maří, Dub U Prachatic, Vacov, Lhenice

For the overview of the wider area: Prachatice District.