Žichovice: Bridges, Castle Park and Cycling Route along the Otava

Žichovice lies on the right bank of the Otava and combines historic bridges, castle history, a chapel in the town center and a paved cycling route along the river within a compact area. Those who want to combine culture and activity on one trip will find specific things to discover here rather than mere place names: structures with a history of their own, a castle park with a view of the castle and a route that begins immediately behind the town.

Stone Bridges with a History of Their Own

The Dolní Bridge is an old stone road bridge with two segmental arches. It crosses the stream on the road toward Rabí. It is thought to date back to the early 17th century. This makes it one of Žichovice’s historic landmarks, directly connected to a local road and a specific direction of travel.

A second historic crossing is the Horní Bridge. The partially preserved stone bridge has two arches with almost semicircular vaults. It probably dates from the 18th century and was supplemented by a modern structure in the mid-20th century. Here, the stream is crossed in the direction of the České dráhy railway station.

Castle, Statue and Baroque Sundials

Žichovice Castle is not open to the public. However, it can at least be viewed from the castle park. Visible details include the baroque sundials on the southern side of the north wing. They date from around 1888; they are freely accessible from the path around the castle.

The statue of Saint John of Nepomuk also tells the story of changes in the castle grounds. It originally stood on the bridge to the castle. After the flood of 1890, it was placed in front of the bridge and later, in 1912, in front of the castle. A walk here therefore allows visitors to see not just an individual monument, but also understand its connection to the bridge and the castle.

The Chapel of Saint Aloysius

The Chapel of Saint Aloysius stands in the center of Žichovice. Before its consecration, it had stood unfinished for 40 years. It was consecrated on June 16, 1861. Its location in the town center and its unusually long construction history make it a destination in its own right alongside the bridges and the castle grounds.

Cycling along the Otava and Returning to Žichovice

Immediately behind Žichovice, the Otava cycling route follows a paved, traffic-free section along the river to the lime works near Velké Hydčice. This specific route provides a clear opportunity to combine a visit to the town with a bike ride by the water without giving up the cultural part of the stay.

For a described hiking route, it is also possible to return to Žichovice by train. This creates an additional connection between a tour outside the town and Žichovice as the return point.

Other Places

Janovice Nad Úhlavou Janovice Nad Úhlavou, Rozparalka Rozparalka, Maňovice Maňovice, Černíkov Černíkov, Týnec Týnec, Kvášňovice Kvášňovice, Červené Poříčí Červené Poříčí and Lomec Lomec.

For the higher-level travel overview: Klatovy District.