Písek

"Now this gentleman's going to take you off to the superintendent at Písek," he announced grandly to Schweik. "According to regulations, we ought to put handcuffs on you. But I think you're a decent sort of chap, so we won't put them on this time. I'm pretty certain you won´ t try to give us the slip on the way."

To reach us

By car:

• I/4 from Prague (110 km) towards Strakonice till you reach the crossroads at Nová hospoda - from there take the I/20 to Písek
• if coming from České Budějovice take the I/20 (53 km)
• I/29 from Tábor (50 km); II/140 from Bavorov and Putim
• II/139 from the western side

By bus:

• direct bus connection from Praha Na Knížecí (underground station Line B "Anděl")
• from České Budějovice, Tábor, Strakonice, Český Krumlov, Brno etc.

By train:

• line no. 200 Protivín - Zdice (your destination is Písek hlavní nádraží/main station or Písek zastávka/ stop out of the centre)
• line no. 201 Ražice - Tábor (your destination is Písek hlavní nádraží/main station or Písek město/town centre)

By bike:

• cycling route 1015 (from Albrechtice nad Vltavou)
• 1017 (from Týn nad Vltavou)
• 1043 (from Sudoměř)
• 1045 (from Strakonice)
• 1049 (from Zátaví)
• 1146 (from Protivín)
• 1149 (from Zvíkov)
• 1158 (from Pohoří and Čimelice)
• the Otava Cycling Route including the Sedláček Path 1225 (Písek - Zvíkov)

On foot:

• long distance European route E10 the Baltic Sea - Šumava - the Alps - the Mediterranean Sea (section Praha - Třístoličník)

By boat:

• along the Otava river from Sušice, Horažďovice, Strakonice
  

Things to do

• Just like Schweik who circled South Bohemia, you might like to make a 12 km circular tour round Písek taking the town route marked by a yellow square. Or you might like to take advantage of the free map or audio guide to the town provided by the Information Centre, and visit some places of interest and historical sights at your own leisure.
• Cross over the Otava River over the oldest preserved stone bridge in Bohemia (built before 1300). The bridge is called the Stone Bridge, known originally the Stag Bridge since the first being to cross it was apparently this king of local forests. The bridge is decorated with Baroque statues of famous Czech saints and walking over the bridge is one of the things to do when in Písek.
• Give your children a treat and take them to the Centre for Childrens´ Illustrations in the renovated Malt House. You will be transported to the world of animated stories and fairy tales without leaving Schweik behind. Josef Lada, the creator of the most famous visual portrait of Schweik, has an honorary place in the Malt House.
• Visit the former mill that was turned into the Municipal Water Power Plant by František Křižík in 1888. The functionality and technical precision of the equipment there is bound to leave you in awe. Apart from admiring the exhibits in the museum of the town's illumination system you can leave the museum through its back door and cross over to an island beneath Šrámek´s Weir to enjoy some peace and quiet. Boats and pedalos are available for hire in the summer season.
• The sounds of the gold bearing Otava River will surround you if you decide to visit the Municipal Island. One can reach the island from both banks and there is plenty to do. One can have a game of minigolf, let children run wild in the playground and take refreshments in the local restaurant where there is live music at weekends.
• Visit the newly opened memorial to Adolf Heyduk in his turn of the 20th century flat and get to know the life of the Otava poet a little better. The flat dates back to the approximate time when Schweik got arrested and was taken back from Písek to Budějovice. Apart from the flat run by the Prácheňské Museum, you can also visit the Museum itself. The museum is located in the only remaining part of the former Royal Castle.
• Pay a visit to the river baths and step back in time. You might like to read the charming book Peevish Summer by Vladislav Vančura to whet your appetite for river baths. The "Barrandov" Area in Písek is not suitable only for swimming in the Otava River, but also for splashing round in paddling pools or one can hire boats and a court for a game of tennis etc.
• Take an outing into the Písek Hills, climb up the Jarník Observation Tower and take in the wonderful vista of the countryside surrounding the town. On clear days one can see as far as the peaks of the Alps. Leave the observation tower and follow the marked route towards the submerged quarry used for mining feldspar, and towards the tourist chalet named after the stone.
• Book a horse riding session at the Provincial Stud Farm. Vault into the saddle and gallop away through the meadows and hills. Should you lack confidence in your ability to leap into the saddle, book a carriage ride instead! The Provincial Stud Farm was declared a national cultural heritage site in 2010.

Schweik´s Recommendation

• Have a beer at Reiner´s Pub, a typical Czech pub with beautifully served beer and renowned cooking. A part of the pub is decorated in Schweik style, so why not have a pint and after that follow in the footsteps of the national hero.
• There will be other pubs along the way to keep you refreshed and since you are walking and burning up calories, you should not worry about having the occasional pint on the way. Perhaps at the U Malířských restaurant in the garden colony above Three ponds, or at a real local dive called U Báby Lišků at Flekačkách. Just remember, there is no rush and bear in mind Hašek´s words: "Man proposes, the Pub disposes".
  

Infocentrum Písek

Heydukova 97, CZ-39701 Písek
Telephone/fax: +420 382 213 592
E-mail: icpisek@mupisek.cz
www.icpisek.cz, www.pisek.eu

File date: 14.12.2010