History comes alive in every corner of the Lipno region

The highest-situated castle in Bohemia, the ruins of Vítkův Hrádek (1,053 m a.s.l.), offers magnificent views of the Bohemian Forest, Lipno, the Novohradské Mountains, and, in favorable weather, the Austrian Alps.

It is no wonder that the castle became a romantic source of inspiration for various painters and writers, such as Adolf Heyduk or Adalbert Stifter. Interestingly, the Czech King Wenceslaus IV was imprisoned here. It is possible to arrange sausage roasting at the castle or book fencing duels.

 

The Cistercian Monastery in Vyšší Brod is among the most beautiful and authentically preserved monasteries in the Czech lands. It was founded in 1259 by the Rosenberg family, and its construction lasted 100 years. It is the only functioning male Cistercian monastery in the Czech Republic. Its most precious monuments are the Vyšší Brod Madonna and the Záviš Cross.

 

The most breathtaking view of the Vltava River is from Rožmberk Castle. The castle dates back to the mid-13th century and is one of the oldest castles of the Vítkovci family, the predecessors of the famous Rosenberg dynasty. The town of Rožmberk nad Vltavou is rightfully called the pearl of the Vltava River. Its historical spirit is palpable at literally every turn.

 

The Schwarzenberg Canal is also a valuable historical monument. It was built over 200 years ago to float timber from the forests below Třístoličník, Plechý, Smrčina, Sulzberg, and Bärenstein to the imperial capital, Vienna. It connects one of the tributaries of the Cold Vltava—Světlá voda—and the Austrian river Große Mühl, a tributary of the Danube, thereby linking the North Sea and Black Sea drainage basins. The total length of the canal is nearly 52 km, with 44 km in the Vltava basin. Near the settlement of Jelení vrchy, it passes through a tunnel nearly 400 m long.