Třeboň, Czech Republic: 20 Best Things to Do and See

If you’re planning a vacation to South Bohemia, you should definitely visit Třeboň. In this guide I will share with you Třeboň, Czech Republic: 20 Best Things to Do and See. When Třeboň or Třeboňsko is mentioned, you probably think of fishponds. Třeboňsko is often referred to as the landscape of double sky, which refers to the large number of fishponds; you’ll find over five hundred of them here.

But Třeboň isn’t just about fishponds; in the historic center, there’s a beautiful chateau, a monastery, and a park. You’ll find Renaissance burgher houses here, and from the center, you can walk to see the Schwarzenberg Tomb.

So, what is there to see and do in Třeboň? I’ve prepared tips for sights, as well as advice on where to stay in Třeboň, where to eat, and where to go for coffee. And of course, you’ll find sights here that you should visit.

Accommodation in Třeboň: Best Hotels

If you don’t mind being on the outskirts of town (it’s relatively small, so we don’t see it as a disadvantage), you’ll find beautiful, clean, and quite modern accommodation at RELAX PARK Třeboň II.

Right in the historic town center, we recommend Apartmány Šupina.

20 Best Things to Do and See

If you’re planning a trip to Třeboň, set aside at least one full day so you can calmly explore all the sights and enjoy a good lunch and coffee. Let’s look at the sights you shouldn’t miss in Třeboň.

Masaryk Square

We’ll naturally start our tour of Třeboň at Masaryk Square, where you can admire historic burgher houses with characteristic Renaissance and Baroque facades. The dominant feature of this area is the old town hall, dating back to 1566, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.

The square also features a distinctive quadrangular tower, added to the town hall in 1638, reaching a height of 31 meters. From the gallery on the fourth floor, there’s a panoramic view of the surroundings. Along with the local church tower, this tower forms prominent landmarks of the town’s skyline.

Near the gate leading to the chateau is the so-called Ruthardovský House, a former town hall that also served as a brewery in the past. After the construction of the new town hall, this building was connected to the chateau complex.

Nearby is the Hotel Zlatá hvězda, located in house no. 106 and 107, and opposite stands the Hotel Bílý koníček, one of the first examples of Renaissance architecture in the town, dating back to 1544. House no. 89, significant for its Gothic and Renaissance elements, is the least affected by reconstructions after the fire in 1562 and served as a ceremonial hall until 2009.

The square is also adorned with a Renaissance decagonal stone fountain by stonemason Jordan from 1569 and a Baroque Marian Column from 1780, a work by České Budějovice stonemason Leopold Huber. The Hradecká Gate on the eastern side of the square, part of the town’s fortifications from 1525–1527, closes this historic space.

Třeboň Chateau

Třeboň Chateau is among the largest chateau complexes in the Czech Republic. Its history dates back to 1374, when a manorial court stood here, which was subsequently transformed into a fortress and a stone castle.

The site of the Gothic castle later became a magnificent Renaissance residence of the prominent Rožmberk family. The Schwarzenberg family, who owned the chateau from 1660, enriched it with Baroque additions in the outer courtyard. Třeboň Chateau is surrounded by a beautiful park and ramparts.

Augustinian Monastery

Just a few steps from the square in Třeboň, you’ll find the Augustinian Monastery, which is located within a closed complex of buildings near the town walls. The monastery was founded in 1367 by the Rožmberk brothers for the canons of the Order of St. Augustine. Immediately after the convent’s establishment, the main monastery buildings and the Church of St. Giles were built.

From the original monastery, only the cloister with the Chapel of St. John the Baptist from the 14th century has been preserved in an intact state. . The floor of this cloister was modified several times in later periods. The monastery was abolished in 1785; today, visitors can only enter the church and the adjacent cloister.

Town Fortifications

Třeboň’s town fortifications already stood here in the 13th century. The fortifications were gradually improved, and in the 1520s, the southern side of the fortifications was reinforced with advanced cannon bastions, a moat, and ramparts.

The town’s fortifications consist of two belts of walls with bastions, which have battlements, gates, and moats fed by the Golden Canal (a water channel in the Třeboň Basin feeding the local fishpond system).

Be sure to check out all the town gates as well; you’ll find the Budějovická, Hradecká, and Svinenská Gates from the 14th century, and the Novohradecká Gate, which was added in the 16th century.

Chateau Pharmacy

Besides finding a cafe in the Chateau Pharmacy today, there’s also a museum where a pharmacist once lived. You can’t miss the Pharmacy when touring Třeboň; it has beautiful deep red doors.

Originally, there were two burgher houses here, which Petr Vok of Rožmberk bought after moving to Třeboň. He purchased the houses with the intention of building a palace to store collections, paintings, books, and art objects. Construction began in 1605, and the first books were moved here in 1607 and 1608.

A pharmacist once lived on the building’s upper floor, and from 1727, a doctor as well. The pharmacy operated here until recently.

Budějovická Gate

There are several entrances to Třeboň’s historic center, one of which is the Budějovická Gate, guarding the town’s entrance from the western side.

Originally, a gate called Nová Břilická was located here. The Budějovická Gate was built by master builders Dominik Cometa of Eckthurn and Jan Lukan between 1605 and 1610. It was constructed as the culmination of the Long Chateau Corridor, which ran along the town walls.

Church of the Virgin Mary Queen and St. Giles

Near Masaryk Square in Třeboň, you’ll find the magnificent parish Church of the Virgin Mary Queen and St. Giles. This historic two-nave deanery church boasts an impressive 56-meter-high tower.

Originally, there was the Church of St. Giles from the second half of the 13th century. In 1368, at the request of the Rožmberks, the Augustinians arrived and began the construction of the monastery and the reconstruction of the church into a monastic church. By 1380, the cloister with the Chapel of St. John the Baptist and the church were completed. The building is executed in the High Gothic style and has retained its structural integrity to this day.

In 1723, a large fire struck Třeboň, damaging the entire town, including the church. Although the vault in the presbytery collapsed and the interior was destroyed, the frescoes and the statue of the Třeboň Madonna survived the fire.

For tours, you can visit on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 3 PM. Holy Masses are held on Sunday at 9:30 AM, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 6:30 PM, and on the first Saturday of the month at 9:00 AM.

Štěpánek Netolický House

Štěpánek Netolický House, located in the historic center of Třeboň, is a significant example of Renaissance architecture in the region. It was owned by Štěpánek Netolický, a famous fishpond builder and constructor, who acquired the house through marriage to the widow Dorota Lukšová in 1522.

Since 2015, after extensive reconstruction, the house has been home to the Center for Třeboň Fishpond Heritage, which includes a permanent interactive exhibition dedicated to fishpond management, as well as the personality and work of Štěpánek Netolický.

And who is Štěpánek Netolický? Netolický was born around 1460 in Netolice, South Bohemia, and during his life, he became famous for constructing seven larger and over forty smaller fishponds. His most famous and significant work is the Golden Canal, which he began building at the beginning of the 16th century. The Golden Canal is over 45 km long and connects the Třeboň fishponds.

Within the permanent interactive exhibition, visitors will learn not only about Štěpánek Netolický but also about how the Třeboň fishponds were created, fish farming practices, and they can also try working with the measuring tools used during the construction of fishponds.

Old Town Hall Tower

If you like views, climb the 31-meter-high Old Town Hall Tower, from where you can view Masaryk Square and the surroundings from a bird’s-eye perspective. This observation tower, which is part of the urban conservation area, is listed in the Central Register of Immovable Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic.

The Old Town Hall Tower is accessible year-round, and the view from it is far-reaching and quite interesting, as the town is located on a completely flat plain.

House of Nature

In the center of Třeboň, you can visit the first House of Nature in the Czech Republic. The permanent exhibition ‘Landscape and People’ consists of six thematically focused rooms, offering interesting texts and entertaining-educational activities for visitors of all ages.

During the tour, you’ll learn about the history of fishpond management, the local peat bog, wetlands with protected animal species, or the Schwarzenberg forest management and the history of the Třeboň spa.

Marzipan Museum

Do you like marzipan? Then be sure to stop by the small marzipan museum: Třeboň in Marzipan. You’ll learn not only about the history and production of marzipan but also how to distinguish real marzipan from its substitutes. And if you’re not interested in history or production, then just come here for quality marzipan.

Jakub Krčín Memorial

Jakub Krčín was one of the most significant Czech fishpond builders, who, in the service of the Rožmberks, contributed to the economic prosperity of the Rožmberk dominion. He expanded and modified many fishponds founded by the already mentioned Štěpánek Netolický. In the Třeboň region, Krčín is primarily known for his large and massive waterworks, which include the Svět and Rožmberk fishponds and the Nová River.

Svět Fishpond was founded in 1571, and its construction required the demolition of part of Třeboň’s suburbs. In 1584, Krčín began building his most significant work, the Rožmberk Fishpond, which became the largest Czech fishpond.

In Třeboň, a statue dedicated to Krčín stands on the dam of Svět Fishpond, which was unveiled in 2004 and whose author is sculptor Jan Hendrych.

Schwarzenberg Tomb

The main destination for most tourists is the Schwarzenberg Tomb, and I’m not surprised; it’s a magnificent and impressive 19th-century building and the final resting place of over 26 members of the prominent Schwarzenberg noble family.

It is located in the beautiful setting of an English park, approximately 1 km from Třeboň Chateau and on the southeastern side of Svět Fishpond. The construction of the tomb was primarily initiated by Jan Adolf II. Schwarzenberg and his wife, Princess Eleonora.

Fishponds in Třeboň and the Surrounding Area

As we already mentioned at the beginning of the article, there are over five hundred fishponds in the Třeboň region; let’s look at the largest and most famous ones near Třeboň.

Rožmberk Fishpond

Rožmberk Fishpond is the largest Czech fishpond and is sometimes called the South Bohemian Sea, though personally, I wouldn’t swim in it 🙂.

Its area is an impressive 647 hectares. The history of the fishpond dates back to 1584–1590, when it was built by the famous fishpond builder Jakub Krčín of Jelčany. At its dam, which is 2430 meters long, up to 10 meters high, and 55 meters wide at the base, you’ll find incidentally, oaks up to 400 years old.

Svět Fishpond

Svět Fishpond, which boasts the position of the seventh largest body of water in the Třeboň region, is located at the southern end of Třeboň. Its existence is the result of the construction of a dam right next to the town walls, thanks to which the fishpond became an integral part of the town’s defense system. The founder of this dam was Jakub Krčín, who participated in its creation between 1571 and 1573.

Originally, Svět Fishpond was connected to Opatovský Fishpond, and another fishpond, Církvičenský, was also flooded. During its construction, part of the Svinenské suburbs, including a hospital and a chapel, was also submerged. Due to the complications the construction brought, the fishpond was initially called Nevděk, and its area was 380 hectares. After a flood in 1611, it was separated from Opatovský Fishpond by a dam; since then, the fishpond has borne the name Svět.

Where to Go for a Trip near Třeboň

If you’re already heading to Třeboň, also go on some popular trips to the surrounding area. Here are our tips.

Jindřichův Hradec

Only 30 minutes from Třeboň is Jindřichův Hradec, which is probably known mainly for its enormous chateau complex, one of the largest in the Czech Republic. But you’ll also find a beautiful historic center overall, as well as great places for lunch or coffee if you don’t want to eat in Třeboň.

České Budějovice

České Budějovice is also a short distance from Třeboň; here in South Bohemia, it’s said that everyone would want to live in Budějovice.😁 There’s probably some truth to that. The historic center of České Budějovice is truly worth a visit; you’ll have plenty to do here for at least one day.

You can start at Přemysl Otakar II Square, from where it’s just a short walk to the Black Tower, which offers a magnificent view of the entire historic center. The tower is 72 meters high and is open to visitors from April to October.

Another no less interesting place is St. Nicholas Cathedral, which was built in the 13th century in the Gothic style and later rebuilt in the Baroque style.

You can also visit the South Bohemian Museum, and be sure to see the magnificent Baroque town hall, the Dominican monastery with the White Tower, the Iron Maiden Tower, and Samson’s Fountain.

Hluboká Chateau

Hluboká nad Vltavou Chateau is often referred to as one of the most beautiful chateaus in the Czech Republic, and we’re not surprised. Its history dates back to the 13th century.

The chateau underwent many changes throughout the centuries and is now accessible to the public as a majestic residence in the Romantic Neo-Gothic style, inspired by English Gothic, especially Windsor Castle.

The chateau acquired this appearance thanks to its 19th-century reconstruction at the wish of Prince Jan Adolf II. of Schwarzenberg, who was inspired by his trip to Great Britain.

Červené Blato Peat Bog

The Červené Blato Peat Bog is located in the southern part of the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area and is one of the most interesting nature reserves in the Czech Republic. This protected area is renowned for its peat forest, which is an ideal place for spring nature trips.

You’ll find an approximately 3 km long educational trail here, and even if you go with children, the trip won’t take more than 2 hours.

Rýdův Kopec Observation Tower

If you want to get some fresh air, you can head to the local Rýdův Kopec observation tower. You’ll find it less than 30 km northeast of Třeboň, in the cadastral area of the village of Děbolín, near Jindřichův Hradec.

Where to Eat in Třeboň

The best food in Třeboň is at Bistro105, but if you like Indian cuisine, you’ll definitely be thrilled by the Indian restaurant The Curry House.

Best Coffee Shops in Třeboň

If you love coffee and want something to eat, try Kafe ke kašně, Zámecká lékárna, or Zebří KAFE outside the center.

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