Písek and Zvíkov Joyfull Cities and Living History

www.pisek.eu; www.piseckem.cz Accessibility: 107 km from Prague

by train from Prague 2 h 33 min by bus from Prague 1 h 20 min by car from Prague 1 h 27 min

Target group: Pleasure seekers: families with children

Písek, a historical settlement on the river Otava in

a picturesque South-Bohemian backdrop, is a charming town featuring the oldest hydroelectric power plant and the largest stud farm in the Czech Republic, as well as one of the oldest bridges in Central Europe. An 18 km trip takes you to the Gothic Zvíkov Castle, a treasure of Medieval architectural art, situated atop a narrow rocky ridge washed by the confluence of the rivers Vltava and Otava.

Písek A Historical Gem on the Gold-Bearing Otava River The historical town of Písek is a Czech treasure yet to be fully discovered by tourists. The artery of the delicately reconstructed historical centre is the river Otava with a beautiful stone bridge. Dating from the second half of the thirteenth century, it is older than Prague’s famed Charles Bridge. A walk along the river bank is one of the most beautiful experiences the town can offer. You can also visit the Provincial Stud Farm. This national cultural monument was built in the Art Nouveau style in 1902, but the horse breeding tradition dates back to a century earlier. The building’s Art Nouveau details and fair-faced brickwork are remarkable in themselves, but the biggest attractions, of course, are the Písek horses. For another extraordinary experience, visit the oldest working hydroelectric power plant in the country. In operation since 1887, it is also a unique technical museum. The Písek Synagogue was also given a new coat, built in an oriental style with Neo-renaissance elements. The Prácheň Museum offers exhibitions of Czech monarchs, a huge aquarium with fish from South-Bohemian ponds, and a unique preserved Art Nouveau apartment, where you can have a themed photo taken. Písek also has three other remarkable bridges – the modern Pleskot footbridge in the town itself and the nearby Stádlec chain bridge, the country’s last empirical bridge, and the monumental Ždákov bridge, the largest single-arch bridge in the country. Písek is a living cultural town which both adults and children will enjoy. Sand sculpture exhibitions, “Pískoviště”, are organised on the riverside walkway, and an unconventional puppet festival can also be seen. The climax, however, is Sladovna (the Malt House), the country’s

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Destination Manual 2020 | Cultural Tourism

www.hrad-zvikov.cz Accessibility: 95 km from Prague

by train from Prague — by bus from Prague 2 h 15 min by car from Prague 1 h 20 min

Target group: Pleasure seekers: families with children

largest play centre with several original playrooms, a giant Anthill labyrinth, an art studio and interactive exhibits.

Zvíkov Castle Royal Gem of Gothic Architecture The Royal Castle Zvíkov is among the most beautifully located castles in Europe. Washed by the waters from the Orlík Dam, towers, walls, ramparts and castle bridges rise to the sky. The castle first belonged to the Přemyslid Dynasty, and is one of the best-preserved castles of the early 13th century. The oldest structure is the somewhat mysterious Hlíza Tower built from roughly worked square blocks with preserved stone markings. By contrast, the palace chapel is the castle’s most beautiful feature, richly decorated with paintings dating from the 15th century and magnificent tiles depicting two-tailed lions. The castle is accessible without a guide. Multilingual signs and descriptions will help to let your imagination run evermore wild with every step. Around the castle, you will find an archaeological exhibition, castle dungeons and state rooms of the Royal Palace with breath-taking views of the river confluence. You can see a model of the whole castle, historical furniture, transfers of renaissance paintings, an altar relocated from a former church below the castle and, of course, the already mentioned chapel and Hlíza Tower and viewpoint. The castle also holds exhibitions and the Zvíkov Summer Theatre. Looking out from the ramparts onto the glistening surface, it is easy to imagine how it looked before the dam was built, when the castle stood on a steep rock above a small town and church. A bell from the former Gothic Church of St. Nicholas now located in the Royal Palace is a reminder of that era.

www.pisek.eu www.piseckem.cz www.hrad-zvikov.cz South Bohemia region: www.jiznicechy.cz Museum of Prácheň: www.prachenskemuzeum.cz The oldest public water power station in the Czech Republic: www.elektrarnapisek.cz Provincial Stud Farm: www.zemskyhrebcinecpisek.cz Pískoviště: www.piskoviste.info Adolf Heyduk Memorial: www.prachenskemuzeum.cz Zvíkov Castle: www.hrad-zvikov.cz Orlík Chateau: www.zamekorlik.cz