Želnava: Apartments and Holiday Homes

The history of Želnava begins at the Church of St. James, which is originally Gothic and dates back to the 14th century. On the village square there is an unusual historic waterworks structure in the form of a large stone cylinder. The water distributor, dating from the early 19th century, channelled spring water through wooden pipes and, using gravity, delivered it to the individual buildings in the village.

History

In the 1360s, Waltershausen Castle was built on a prominent hill between Želnava and Pernek. It was intended to protect the Zlatá Koruna settlements occupied by Vyšehrad.

The history of the Schwarzenberg Navigational Canal is also linked to the surrounding area: the Želnavský smyk made it possible to transport timber from the forests to the Vltava. As a result, the Schwarzenberg Navigational Canal retained its importance even after the end of timber floating to Vienna at the end of the 19th century, in its section of more than 22 kilometres between Rasovka and Světlá voda near the Bavarian border.

Nature and Landscape

The Houska Nature Reserve lies in the Vltava valley west of Želnava. It protects a peat bog that transitions into bog pine forests and waterlogged spruce forests.

Želnavský vrch reaches an altitude of 815 metres and is the highest point of the Vltavická brázda. From Želnavský vrch, there are panoramic views of the Vltava meanders, the Bohemian Forest mountain range and the church in Želnava.

Hiking and Exploring

The Naučná stezka Želnavskem educational trail uses information panels to provide information about the local nature and history. The NS Želnavskem educational trail is a circular route just under seven kilometres long that begins and ends at the Church of St. James in Želnava. It leads to Želnavský vrch at an altitude of 815 metres and offers views from the summit.

Želnava is easily accessible via the main road between Volary and Horní Planá.

Rural Life

In Slunečná, a settlement belonging to Želnava, visitors can see animals at Biofarma na Slunečné, learn about its farming methods and buy homemade organic products such as meat, milk, cheese, eggs, honey and potatoes.

Other destinations: Žárovná, Řasnice, Svatá Maří, Buk Pod Boubínem, Malenice, Vrbice, Nove Hute and Pravetín.

To the higher-level travel overview: Prachatice District.