Žihobce: Castle, Museum and Trails

Castle history, seasonal exhibitions, church architecture and marked trails offer several ways to explore Žihobce. At the heart of it all is the castle and its museum, alongside a circular trail through the former castle park and hiking trails that lead from Žihobce to other places. A gallery and a bathing area with sports courts are also among the topics covered here.

Castle, Museum and Nature

Žihobce Castle was built in the 17th century in the Renaissance style and converted into a Baroque castle in 1688. The early Baroque building is rectangular, with one upper floor and a raised ground floor. Original barrel vaults have been preserved inside, some of them enhanced with stucco mirrors. The building offers a chance to observe several architectural features: its construction history, the shape of the structure and the preserved interior design.

The Lamberská stezka Museum is located in the west wing of the historic castle. Three halls on the ground floor host seasonal exhibitions. A visit to the museum adds a distinct exhibition focus to the castle experience; the exhibitions are seasonal and should not be understood as a permanent, unchanging offering.

The castle attic also has special significance: it is home to a summer colony of lesser horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus hipposideros) and has been designated a site of European importance. This nature-related feature complements the architecture and exhibitions, without being confused with them.

Trails from Žihobce

The Netopýřím parkem educational trail is a circular route of about one kilometre through the former castle park. Five information panels line the route. The trail also includes an insect habitat made from tree trunks felled during the revitalisation of the castle park. The circular route therefore combines a short walk through the former park with information along the way and an example of how wood from the park was put to use.

Two marked trails with different destinations start in Žihobce for longer hikes. The yellow trail goes via Strašín to Javorník. The blue trail runs via Rozsedly and Kadešice to Sušice. Both start in the village; the intermediate stops and destinations help you distinguish between the routes when planning.

Žihobce is also a stop on the Lamberská stezka. Here, the listed stops on the route include the museum in the early Baroque castle and the adjoining English-style park with the Netopýřím parkem educational trail. The Czech section of the Lamberská stezka in the Pošumaví region is a circular route almost 50 kilometres long. You can complete it in stages or explore individual sections; doing the entire loop is therefore not the only way to experience the route.

Church, Gallery and Other Activities

The Neo-Romanesque Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord was built between 1872 and 1876 on the site of a former Gothic church. It is currently open to the public. As access to religious sites may be subject to local arrangements, it is advisable to check whether it is possible to visit before you go.

Netopýr Gallery displays art and crafts related to the Šumava region in a historic Šumava building. Alongside the castle and church buildings, it offers another cultural perspective: regional art and crafts. Together with the seasonal museum exhibitions, this provides a range of cultural topics rather than a single continuous exhibition focus.

The TJ Žihobce bathing area also has tennis courts and a football pitch. If you would like to add some exercise to your stay, these are other named activities in addition to the marked hiking trails. Consider each offering separately when planning: the educational trail is a circular route of about one kilometre, the two marked hiking trails pass through different places, and the bathing area also has tennis courts and a football pitch.

Discover more destinations: Petrovice U Sušice, Klenová, Strašín, Velhartice, Ujčín, Mlýnské Struhadlo, Srní, Měčín.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Klatovy.