Bohemian Forest

Šumava is situated at the south-west border of the Czech Republic close to the borders with Austria and Germany. The highest point in Šumava is Velký Javor (1456m) at the Bavarian side of the border. The highest point of the Czech part is Plechý (1378 m). Šumava offers the accommodation in numerous pleasant hotels, family hotels and apartments. The length of Šumava from Chodská Úhlava to Vyšebrodský průsmyk is about 120 km, the maximum width of Šumava, the foothills included is 45 km. The mountain ridge of Šumava intersects the main European divide between Black and Northern Sea. At the Bavarian and Austrian side the mountains go down significantly, at the Czech side only slowly. The arch of main peaks sticks out above the vast flat mountain plains.

Šumava is divided into six parts: Železnorudská hornatina, Šumavské pláně, Boubínská hornatina, Trojmezná hornatina, Želnavská hornatina and Vltavická brázda.

Šumava offers number of opportunities for both summer and winter recreation. Špičácké sedlo, Zadov, Churáňov, Antýgl, Srní, Modrava or Lipno dam belong to the most significant recreation centres.

Lipno

Lipno dam is situated in protected region of ŠUMAVA in the altitude of 726 m above the sea. The artificial water tank is rightfully called the south-bohemian sea. It is the largest water area in the Czech Republic. The surface area of Lipno is during the highest upswell 48700 km, the length in the lengthwise axis of the dam is 48 km. In the place of biggest width close to Černá in Pošumaví, the distance from two banks is 10 km. Lipno dam is relatively shallow, its average depth is 6, 5 m and the maximum depth reaches 21, 5 m. The water tank has volume of 306 mil. m³ of water and collects water from the entire surface 950, 56 km².

Waterworks Lipno was established during 1952 - 1959. It is in time sequence the fourth stage of so called Vltava cascade (earlier built water tanks are Vrané /1935/, Štěchovice /1945/ and Slapy /1954/). Lipno was the first after war waterworks and created the biggest artificial water surface in our country. In Lipno area two dam stages has been gradually built up. Lipno I. is the main dam, more low-lying downstream Lipno II. was built up close to Vyšší Brod, as the compensatory tank for water being drained from the upper dam.

Železná Ruda

It was originally a small municipality in the valley of Řezná at Výšinná stezka. In 16th century the source of iron ore was found here and the ironworks established here in 1526. In the 2nd half of 17th century the glasswork was established at the foothill of Pancíř. In 1772 the existing manor was bought by a member of significant glass family Jan Jiří Hafenbrädl. In 1841 a new glassworks was established in the local part of Alžbětín – it was producing mainly sheet glass and mirror glass. Railway line construction from Plzeň to Bavaria in 1877 helped the development of the municipality. Nowadays Železná Ruda is the most significant centre of recreation and sport of the western part of Šumava.

Klatovy

Town of Klatovy was established as the royal town during 1260-63 at the place of the older settlement situated at the trade road from Bohemia to Bavaria. Since 1419, when the townsmen plundered the monastery, the town became the significant stronghold of Hussite. Later on the town supported King Jiří of Poděbrady and in 1547 was stated as the seventh richest town in our country. In 1620 Klatovy was occupied by emperor´s troops and the property was confiscated. Klatovy had recovered. In 1813 the filly flower seeds were brought from Nancy - thus the foundations of these flowers growing famous tradition were laid down. It is one of the most beautiful towns in our country and it is the preserve.

Sušice

It is the centre of upper Povltaví at the confluence of Otava and Roušarka rivers. The Slavic settlement of gold cradlers existed at the place of old Celtic settlement already in 11th and 12th centuries, later on it was promoted to the small town – during 1192-1273 it belonged to Bavaria, only king Přemysl Otakar II. connected it to Bohemia after 1260. He established the new royal town at the regular checkerboard plan, surrounded by double walls. During Hussite wars the town joint the Calixtins. In 16th century it was becoming rich due to beneficial position at one of the branches of Golden Path (Zlatá stezka). During the Thirty Years´ War it was plundered by Swedish. In the 19th century the industrial development began and also the production of matches was started.

Prašily

Mountain village Prašily, formerly called Gattermayerova glassworks, established in the 18th century by the glassworks in the middle of grazing. The last glassworks stopped the activity in 1824 and the glassworks premises were rebuilt for the handmade paper production. It burned down in 1933. After the resettlement of German inhabitants in 1945 and integration of the village into the strictly guarded cross- border area and military training area, the village lost a lot of buildings but fortunately it has not disappeared. It is nowadays again the centre of tourism and recreation.

Albrechtice in Šumava

Mountain village at the slope of Sedla, founded together with the church in 12th century by the Czech king Vladislav II. It is called after the bishop of Solný Hrad Albrecht, who consecrated the local house of god on 5. 1. 1179. It had been in the property of Winderberg monastery in Bavaria for 600 years.

Kvilda

Mountain village, the centre of summer and winter recreation in the middle of Šumava plains, it was originally the gold cradle village, established around 1500 at the Upper Golden Path. There were a lot of glassworks, iron mills and wood -working industry here.

Nature places of interest: several protected peat bogs: Jezerní slať (2 km to south-west) with the observation tower and vegetation of stunted birch, Tetřevská slať (2, 5 km to west-south.), Pod Tetřevem (1 km west.). The protected area of Vltava river head is located about 5 km to west with the source of the longest Czech river.

Domažlice

Town preserve and the centre of peculiar area of Chodsko, was originally the market village mentioned already in 971 and was rebuilt by Přemysl Otakar II. for the town after 1260. Provincial congresses were taking place here. Heyday of the town was slowed down after the battle at Bílá hora (White Mountain Battle); further upturn came in the 19th century.

Vimperk

It is the mountain town, significant social, culture and industrial centre in the Valley of Volyňka River in Vimperk highlands. It was established in 13th century as the settlement round the gothic castle at the Golden Path. It became the small town in 1359 and the town in 1479. It was burned down by Hussite in 1423 and had been in holding of family Rožmberk since 1547. Long time disputes were decided in favour of Prachatice. Huge fires in 1665, 1861 and 1904. Industrial development from 19th century. Place of Šumava National Park administration.

Prachatice

Historical town at Golden Path under the hill of Libín, established at the end of 13th century, mentioned for the first time in 1312, town rights from 1323, in the holding of family Rožmberk in 16th century. The town became rich mainly from salt trade. Salt was imported from Bavaria; it had declined since 17th century. It is the town preserve. Nature places of interest: - nature sight Žižka rock above the northern edge of the town, the remarkable projecting silica vein. From the top you can have a beautiful view to the town and Libín Mountain.

Vltava river head

It is situated by south-east slope of Černá hora (Black Mountain) (1315 m), close to the state border with Federal republic of Germany. The river head, flowing out here, is considered as the farthest spring area of our longest river – Vltava. The rivulet is called Černý potok (Black creek) from the river head up to Borová Lada; furthermore it is called Teplá Vltava (Warm Vltava). Already during the time period before the 2nd World War, the place was visited by the tourists a lot and the tourist chalet used to be here, built in 1922.

During the war a work camp of the Soviet army officers was placed over here. Nowadays the spring area is adjusted for the public and there are well-arranged informative boards placed here, informing about local nature and history.

The access to Vltava river heads is possible on the blue line from Kvilda (about 6 km). Just before the aim the line goes through old spruce natural cover having the character of primeval forest. It is possible to continue from the river head, following the red sign (about 4 km to Bučina reservation, where the frontier crossing to FRG was built (for walkers and bikers. The visitors can go back to Kvilda from Bučina following the green sign. The access to river heads is possible also through the route of read sign from Modrava (about 12 km) or from Strážné (about 18 km). The place is today the part of I. zone of Šumava National Park and it is protected by the status of nature preserve.

Photographs Bohemian Forest