Strakonice

"Down Strakonice way there's plenty of mugs and pious people who don't lock their doors at nights, and in daytime they don't even shut ´em."

How to reach Strakonice from Písek

By car:

• II/139 via Dobev, in Kbelnici turn left for I/4 (20 km)

By bus:

• from the main bus station in Písek or from the Žižkova, Čelakovského or Václavské square stops, regular daily connection, fewer buses at weekends

By train:

• line no. 201, change in Ražice for the 190; there are also some direct trains

By bike:

• Otava cycling route or the 1045 via Zátaví, Kestřany and Sudoměř

On foot:

• blue route via Sudoměř (26 km)
  

Things to do

• Be seduced by the medieval atmosphere of the Strakonice castle. The original owners of the castle, the House of Bavors, transferred the castle to the Johannes Order at the beginning of the 15th century. The capitulary hall with its Romanesque circular window, the ancient tower named the Winch and the newly renovated well in the reconstructed courtyard are well worth your attention.
• In the Museum of Central Pootaví you will learn about the tradition of bagpipers, which is an integral part of ancient and modern Strakonice, and also about the famous ČZ motorcycles that were made here - they are still to be seen on the roads today. The second part of the exhibition is dedicated to hats and fezes that have decorated the heads of many generations in Islamic countries. They are still made in the town today.
• In Podskalí you should not forget to notice a copy of a Moa statue that helped Ing Pavel Pavel solve the mystery of sculptures on Eastern Island. On the opposite bank you will find a popular spot of lovers - an outlook post with the statue of the poet F. L. Čelakovský, familiarly called Frantík Ládík. Perhaps you might be somewhat surprised to find a replica of the English site of Stonehenge in Strakonice. The local native Pavel Pavel showed how one can easily, with the help of simple objects, lift heavy transoms.
• The centre of the town has several highly decorative historical buildings such as the Art Nouveau Savings Bank from the beginning of the 20th century, the former Town Hall with graffiti by Mikoláš Aleš and a Baroque portal of meat market stalls. Nearby there is a memorial plaque to a native of this town, Josef Skupa, a puppet maker, the creator of probably the two most famous puppets in Bohemia, Spejbl and Hurvínek.

Strakonice Town Information Centre

Velké náměstí 2, CZ-38621 Strakonice
Telephone: +420 383 700 700
E-mail: infocentrum@strakonice.net
www.strakonice.net

File date: 26.11.2007