České Budějovice

Schweik accomplished the journey from Písek to Budějovice by train, briskly and punctually. He was escorted by a young constable, who had recently joined the force and who kept his eyes glued on Schweik for fear he might run away.

How to reach České Budějovice from Písek

By car:

• I/20 (53 km)

By bus:

• from the main bus station in Písek or from Budějovická Street, several daily connections, fewer at the weekends

By train:

• line no. 200, frequent daily connections with a changeover in Protivín line no. 190, several direct trains
  

Things to do

• Should one take the bus or the train? Well, it is truly up to you but should you wish to follow in Schweik's footsteps, you should really take the train just like him. Although it is quicker by bus, the pleasure of the journey is lessened. Nevertheless, the bus parks at a rather unusual place in České Budějovice, on top of the shopping centre.
• Enjoy the atmosphere of Přemysl Otakar II Square, one of the largest squares in Central Europe. It is a nearly perfect square with dimensions of 133 x 137 metres and all of its sides are arcaded which is a rather unique feature. The Baroque Samson fountain decorating the centre of the square is an ideal photo opportunity and nearby one can look for the so-called vicious stone where the gallows used to be.
• Further information about this County town will be revealed to you in the beautiful Baroque building by the architect A. E. Martinelli. This is the place where the Tourist Information Centre and the Municipal Authorities reside. When leaving the Town Hall you will notice that an iron belt dating from 1765 showing the exact length of a Viennese ell (0.77 m) was inserted into the corner pillar of the Town Hall arcade in order to check on measures on market days.
• Climb up the Black Tower and look over the local countryside. This landmark of České Budějovice is 72 metres high and it was used as a belfry tower and a watchtower for fires. The gallery is 46 metres above the ground and one has really lovely views over the town, the surrounding villages and the peaks of Blanský Forest.
• Stop off for beer in the Small Brewery. The local burghers have been brewing beer here since 1722. The present look of the building dates back to 1815. The Small Brewery is used today as a beer hall, hotel, restaurant, café and a journalists' club, although it has not lost its brewery patina. From the opposite corner of the square, you can head down Krajinská Street to Masné krámy (The Meat Market) - this renowned restaurant was opened again in the end of 2007.
• The Piarist Square is full of impressive historical corners with the oldest buildings of the town, a Dominican Cloister and the Church of the Sacrifice of the Virgin Mary from the time of foundation of the town in the 13th century. A Motorcycle Museum was opened in the adjacent salt house and is open from March to October. Go down the picturesque Panská Street with the Rabenštejnská Tower at its end, a part of the former fortification of the town. The building is shiny white and its ground floor houses a wonderful shop with handmade products, textile products and a small museum.
• Would you like to see how beer is brewed today and what the brewing rights were in previous centuries? Should your mouth be watering just thinking about the hop drink, head out for the Budvar Brewery, one of the few remaining national companies. You will learn many facts and news from the malt and hop industries, taste beer of premium quality and purchase some interesting souvenirs. A themed restaurant is situated in the brewery and the food is excellent. www.budvar.cz
• If you are a museum enthusiast, make sure you manage to find time for the Museum of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. The permanent exhibition covers exhibits from various areas, from natural history to history itself (the primeval times and middle ages) but there are also artistic and historical collections from the 16th to the 18th centuries, ethnographical collections and painted furniture. Another interesting museum is devoted to the local horse-pulled train which is the oldest in Europe.
• You will also find the Mariánské Barracks in the town where Jaroslav Hašek was conscripted on 15 February 1915 after the start of World War I. One can say that Hašek was not the bravest of soldiers, managing to spend most of his time in a military hospital and his Bohemian life style was very similar to Schweik´s. Hašek wrote two of his short stories here, The Hamster Affair and The Thermometer Affair for which he received 20 CZK from the publisher Vilímek. Needless to say, Hašek assiduously drowned the money in alcohol.
  

At the time of their arrival Lieutenant Lukash had been on duty for two days. Suspecting nothing, he was seated at the table in the orderly room, when Schweik was brought to him with the appropriate documents. "Beg to report, sir, I'm back again," said Schweik, saluting with a solemn demeanour. Lieutenant Lukash as white as a sheet, with trembling hands had taken the documents referring to Schweik, had signed them, and told everyone to go outside, after which he had locked himself with Schweik in the orderly room. Thus concluded Schweik´s Budějovice anabasis…

Tourist Information Centre

Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 1, 2, CZ-37092 České Budějovice
Telephone: +420 386 801 413
E-mail: infocb@c-budejovice.cz
www.c-budejovice.cz

Tourist and Map Centre of Southern Bohemia

Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 21, CZ-37001 České Budějovice
Telephone: +420 386 352 589
E-mail: mapcentrum@mbox.vol.cz
www.mapove-centrum.cz

File date: 7.8.2008