Cizova: Church, Castle and Viewpoint

Cizova combines historic buildings with a viewpoint above the village. At its heart is the Church of St. James the Elder, alongside St. Barbara’s Chapel, the castle, a former granary, and other traces of the village’s history. From Mount Sv. Jakuba, the view stretches over Písek and the surrounding communities and, in good visibility, as far as Šumava. Sacred architectural history and landscape thus offer distinct focal points for planning your trip.

Church of St. James and St. Barbara’s Chapel

The Church of St. James the Elder has a Gothic core with architectural elements associated with the Písek–Zvíkov building workshop. It is considered the oldest and most valuable historic monument in Cizova and the surrounding area. It is believed to have been built as a parish church by the middle of the 13th century at the latest. The church thus brings together an assumed early construction date and a Gothic core as an architectural feature.

St. Barbara’s Chapel was built in 1759 south of the church’s main entrance. It contains a crypt measuring 5 × 2.7 metres. It probably served as a burial place for the families of senior estate officials. The chapel therefore complements the church with a distinct 18th-century building and a feature whose possible function you can place in its historical context.

Other Buildings and Local History

The Cizova hospital was built between 1762 and 1763 for eight elderly and poor people. It complements the religious buildings with an institution serving a social purpose. The former aristocratic brewery is also part of the village’s history: it was built in the second half of the 17th century by Václav Mikuláš Deym.

The municipality bought Cizova Castle in 2013 and has been gradually restoring it ever since. Another distinctive building is the three-storey Baroque granary, built in 1734. It stands on a slope beside the road and is visible from a distance. A smaller trace of the village’s history is the stone reconciliation cross, which can be seen almost opposite a chapel on the road to Blatná. The buildings differ in function and form—from religious structures and a granary to a single stone cross.

Views and Routes

Mount Sv. Jakuba lies above Cizova. From there, you can enjoy views of Písek and the surrounding communities; in good visibility, Šumava can also be seen. If you include the viewpoint in your plans, bear in mind that views of Šumava depend on visibility conditions.

The church can be reached via two marked hiking trails. Cycle Route 1161 from Cizova to Chlaponice passes by it. The route information therefore differs by mode of travel: the hiking trails lead to the church, while the cycle route passes by it. Check current trail conditions and local signage before setting out.

Cizova has train and bus connections. As no timetable or service frequency information is available, please check current connections before planning your journey.

Holiday Activity

The municipality offers the holiday activity “Putování s Mušlíkem” and provides a map that can be downloaded and printed. If you include this activity in your trip plans, you can print the map in advance or download it digitally.

Discover more destinations: Boudy, Zběšičky, Skály, Putim, Olešná, Myslín, Okrouhlá, Lety.

For the broader travel overview: Písek District.