Predni Zvonkova: Border History and Cycling Routes

You can plan a trip to Predni Zvonkova around two specific questions: Which historical developments shaped the settlement area, and which routes include the village? The answers span the settlement of a wooded mountain region in the 17th century and the connections offered by the Rakouská cycling route. Another route runs from Nová Pec via the Schwarzenberg Canal and several villages to the ferry in Horní Planá and back.

Settlement history on the historic border

The settlement area of Zvonková, associated with Přední Zvonková, emerged in the second half of the 17th century, when a previously inaccessible, wooded mountain region on the historic border was settled. The landscape and its historic border location are therefore part of the early history of the settlement.

Another period concerns the state border protection regime: the Zvonková area was subject to it until the end of 1989. The history also includes changes to the individual settlements. Přední Zvonková was incorporated into Horní Planá; with few exceptions, Zadní Zvonková, Huťský Dvůr and Josefův Důl disappeared. Thus, the incorporation of one village and the near-disappearance of the other named settlements are part of the same story.

Zadní Zvonková and the Schwarzenberg Canal

Zadní Zvonková lies 1.8 km southwest of Přední Zvonková, by the Schwarzenberg Canal. The village has a Neo-Gothic church, rebuilt after a fire between 1878 and 1880. This adds specific details about a building and its date to the settlement history: the settlement area was established in the second half of the 17th century, while the church was rebuilt in the late 19th century.

Two routes with different connections

The “Za Schwarzenberskou historií” route runs from Nová Pec via the Schwarzenberg Canal, Zadní Zvonková and Přední Zvonková to the ferry in Horní Planá, then back to Nová Pec. Přední Zvonková is therefore a stop on a route that starts and ends in Nová Pec. If you follow this itinerary, check local conditions before setting out.

The Rakouská cycling route connects Přední Zvonková with the ferry in Bližší Lhota and with Horní Planá. It passes through the Šumava landscape on both the Czech and Austrian sides. The difference is clear when choosing a route: “Za Schwarzenberskou historií” focuses on a sequence of villages with a return to Nová Pec, while Rakouská is the cycling route connecting Bližší Lhota and Horní Planá. The ferry in Bližší Lhota operates seasonally. Check its schedule before your trip.

Include refreshments in your plans

The route along the right bank of the Lipno Reservoir lists Přední Zvonková as a place where refreshments are available. If stopping for refreshments is important to your day’s plans, check the specific options in advance. Together with the route connections, this can help you decide whether your trip will focus on the historical itinerary, a cycling route or a place to stop for refreshments along the Lipno Reservoir.

Discover more destinations: Hory, Manava, Žlábek, Pernek.

See the broader travel overview: Oberplan.