Prední Zborovice combines the river landscape of the Volyňka with structures and traces of routes from different centuries. The surrounding area is ideal for hiking; there are also individual local sights that reveal different chapters of history. To help plan your visit, consider two questions: would you mainly like to explore the river, or are chapels, the bridge and historic routes your main focus?
The Volyňka and the Šumava Foothills
The Volyňka flows through Prední Zborovice, forming picturesque bends in the river. The village lies on the river in the Šumava foothills. This brings together a specific landmark in the village and the wider foothill landscape. If you would like to include walks in your stay, the surrounding area offers excellent hiking opportunities.
The river’s use is also specified: the stretch of the Volyňka that flows through Prední Zborovice is designated as a trout fishing water. For hiking, however, the surrounding area offers several other points of interest, including woodland and views towards the Volyňka Valley.
Chapel, Wayside Shrine and Stone Bridge
The Chapel of the Crucifixion of the Lord (Kaplička Ukřižování Páně) stands near the Volyňka at the fork in the road to Sousedovice and Radošovice, between two mature protected lime trees. It dates from the first half of the 18th century. At two metres tall, with a rectangular ground plan, it is compact; it faces east.
Another historic structure is the wayside shrine (Boží muka) in a field between Prední Zborovice and Radošovice. It dates from the 17th century and consists of three tiers separated by cornices. Each tier becomes smaller towards the top. Its structure can therefore be seen as a stepped sequence rather than a single uniform block.
The stone bridge over the Volyňka is also part of the village’s architectural history. It was built between 1912 and 1913. Together with the older chapel and the wayside shrine, it offers a comparison across time: the three structures date from different centuries and each has its own form.
Hikes and Routes
Remains of a medieval hillfort lie in the dense coniferous forests above the village and can be visited on walks. The Golden Trail (Zlatá stezka) leads past Prední Zborovice to a fork below Mount Ostrá. From there, there are expansive views towards the Volyňka Valley. The hillfort and the fork are different destinations: one focuses on historic remains in the forest, the other on views of the valley. As trail conditions can change, check them before your planned hike.
The Volyňka is also a point of reference for cyclists. The Volyňka Cycle Route passes through Prední Zborovice and runs from the river’s source in the Šumava to its confluence with the Otava in Strakonice. Before setting out, check the current surface and accessibility of the section within the local cadastral area.
Historic Traces and Getting There
Finds of Roman coins and other objects of Roman origin point to a historic route through Zborovice. In the time of Maria Theresa, Prední Zborovice lay on the so-called old road, which led from Mýto (Mauth) in Bavaria towards Strakonice. Historical records by merchants describe the village as a popular resting place after the strenuous descent from the Šumava forests. Local tradition also holds that soldiers from the Swedish Wars are buried beneath the Zborovické lime trees.
For rail travel, Přední Zborovice station is on the eastern edge of the village, on line 198 between Strakonice, Vimperk and Volary. Check the timetables for your travel dates. This will help you coordinate your journey with planned walks or visits without combining the local sights into a fixed circular route.
Discover more destinations: Metly, Němětice, Třebohostice, Bezdědovice, Třešovice, Drachkov, Horní Poříčí and Hajany.
For the overview of the wider area, see: Okres Strakonice.
