Rovná showcases its history through a variety of buildings and natural features. The Chapel of the Holy Cross dates from 1717, while the farmstead at No. 26 on the village square dates from 1852. There is also a nature trail, natural monuments and historic lime kilns. This offers several ways to get to know the village without reducing its history and nature to a single theme.
Village History Between the Chapel and the Farmstead
The Chapel of the Holy Cross stands next to Rovná’s sports ground. The farmstead at No. 26 on the village square has a gable in the vernacular Baroque style, a vaulted chamber that served as a kitchen, and a living room with a wooden beam ceiling. These features are about more than different periods of construction: while the chapel dates from the early 18th century, the chamber and living room also tell of the farmstead’s former use. They offer a practical starting point for distinguishing between architectural form and function during your stay.
Nature Trail and Community Life
The Naučná stezka Rovná nature trail was officially opened on 20 September 2025. Five information boards present the municipality’s past and present, rare natural features and historic sights in the surrounding area. Individual boards may change; the trail’s thematic focus brings together local history, nature and regional sights. For those who want to explore Rovná beyond its individual buildings, the trail provides a framework for these different aspects.
Traditional events are also part of community life: the Modrý Hořec association holds the Drakiáda kite-flying event and the Morana effigy-carrying ceremony in Rovná. If you would like to plan your visit around one of these events, check the announced dates in advance. This keeps the events as a distinct reason to visit, without implying a fixed visiting time or a specific programme.
Nature with a Clear Springtime Connection
The Rovná National Nature Monument lies in a meadow on the northwestern shore of Rovenský rybník. In spring, the spring gentian (Gentiana verna) blooms there—a specific seasonal attraction for anyone interested in native plants. Sedlina lies in the northern part of Rovná’s administrative area. It is an important site for the highly endangered pale orchid (Orchis pallens), the only known occurrence of this species in the southern half of Bohemia. The two natural features therefore differ not only in their plants, but also in the particular significance described for each: the spring gentian for its flowering season, and Sedlina for the importance of its occurrence.
Lime Kilns and Industrial History
Two domed lime kilns made of fired bricks stand at the southern edge of the disused limestone quarry on Zbuš. The traditional rural lime kilns of Zbuš date from the 1880s. A description from July 2021 noted that technical details of their construction were still visible; vegetation and the condition of collapsed vaults may have changed since then. Rovná lime was also used to build barracks, schools and other buildings in Písek. The kilns offer a glimpse of the technical structures at Zbuš, while their use in Písek provides a different perspective on lime as a building material.
Rovná on the Cycling Route
Cycling Route No. 1260 runs from Strakonice to Písek via Řepice and Rovná. As a different point of reference, a farm track leads east from Rovná towards Chlum Forest. These descriptions refer to different routes: a numbered cycling route through the village and a farm track heading east. Which option suits your trip depends on whether you are interested in the connection between the named towns, village history, natural features or technical heritage.
Discover more destinations: Nebřehovice, Libějovice, Milejovice, Metly, Přechovice, Hoslovice, Libětice, Osek
Back to the regional travel guide: Strakonice District.
