Town of Vodňany
In this town, known for its fishing tradition, you can admire its well-preserved wall system with bastions, and the Municipal Museum and Gallery is also worth seeing. You can also visit the famous fishing school which also currently houses the “Fishing Museum”, featuring the history of pond management. Dozens of fish are displayed here, including their skeletons, water birds and mammals are represented within wetland habitat, and an exposition of fishing tools is also included. In about twenty aquariums you can see around one hundred fish living in our territory and in other areas. www.infocentrumvodnany.cz
Tip for an experience
The Crocodile ZOO Protivín specializes in breeding crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gavials. You can see 22 species, including five critically endangered ones. This is the most extensive collection of crocodile species in Europe. www.krokodylizoo.cz
TOP cultural events
Platan beer festival in Protivín, every year in July
Vodňanyské rybářské dny (Fishing Days in Vodňany), every year in May
Town of Strakonice
The history of the town dates back to the second half of the 12th century. The town is dominated by the Strakonice Castle, a majestic building including a Gothic castle and Baroque chateau with the church of St. Prokop at the confl uence of the Volyňka and Otava Rivers. In the past, it was also owned by the Order of the Knights of Malta. The castle premises now house the Museum of the Central Otava Region. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the castle premises and the town from the Rumpál observation tower. The city of Strakonice has become world-famous for its production of caps known as “fez”, and mainly the production of motorcycles with the ČZ brand, also known as JAWA, which used to be exported from here to the whole world. You can visit a permanent exposition in the Muzeum Historie ČZ a. s. Strakonice or in the Museum of the Central Otava Region. www.strakonice.eu
Tip for an experience
Visit the oldest well-preserved and unique water mill in Bohemia, situated in the municipality of Hoslovice near Strakonice. This unique mill with restored historical equipment is a venue of many events illustrating life in the country, including craft production and preserved traditions and customs. www.muzeum-st.cz
TOP cultural events
Mezinárodní dudácký festival (International Bagpipe Festival) Strakonice, every year in August
Pivovarská pouť (Beer Pilgrimage) Strakonice, every year in June
Rodeo Hoslovice, every year in September
Town of Blatná
Blatná is surrounded with beautiful ponds and off ers plenty of cultural events and options for active leisure. The historical center is a heritage zone. You can visit the fairy-tale water castle of Blatná, one of the most preserved water manors in the Czech Republic, along with the castles of Švihov and Červená Lhota. The castle premises also include a park with an area of 42 hectares, home to a herd of fallow deer who graze freely and are very tame, as well as a fl ock of peacocks. The first electric guitars called Resonet come from this town; they became world-famous, as did the roses grown by Jan Böhm. The local history and development is illustrated by a permanent regional exhibition in the City Museum. www.mesto-blatna.cz
Tip for an experience
The nearby Lnáře Castle features halls richly decorated with fresco paintings, a beautiful castle chapel, an exhibition on fishing history, and a stone collection. In the castle premises you can also find the Cat Museum illustrating cohabitation of the man with this domestic pet since ancient Egypt until today. www.zameklnare.eu
TOP cultural events
Rybářské slavnosti (Fishing Festival) in Blatná, every year in June
Krajkářské slavnosti (Lace festival) in Sedlice, every even year in August