Staňkov U Třeboně: Pond Landscape and Moor

The townscape of Staňkov U Třeboně is shaped by Staňkovský rybník. The town lies below its high dam, while the area offers everything from cycling and water sports to the Rašeliniště Pele protected area and local history.

Staňkovský rybník Shapes the Landscape

The dam at Staňkovský rybník is 18 metres high and is considered the highest pond dam in the Czech Republic. Together with the large pond, it forms a distinctive feature of the landscape. Visitors to Staňkov encounter a structure that not only shapes the view of the town but is also part of its history: Staňkovský rybník may have been built between 1551 and 1559 by Mikuláš Ruthart on the former border stream Hostice.

The pond can be reached from Staňkov by car or bicycle. It is a popular destination for summer recreation, family holidays, fishing and swimming. Paddleboard and boat rentals are also available at Staňkovský rybník. Check whether rentals are available on your chosen date before making plans. Rybářství Třeboň operates recreational and sport fishing there; conditions may vary by season.

Water and Cycling Routes for Planning Your Trip

Cycling route CT1014 runs from Chlum u Třeboně through Staňkov. There is an opportunity to swim at Staňkovský rybník. Another connection is CT322: it leads from the edge of Staňkov towards Smírčí vrch and on to Dolní pstruhový rybník. The two routes therefore have different described routes and destinations. Check the CT1014 route signs locally; conditions on CT322 may change.

Several activities come together at the pond: swimming, fishing, and boat or paddleboard rentals. It is useful to distinguish between them when planning, as fishing may be seasonal and rental availability should be checked for your chosen date. For cyclists, the specific routes of CT1014 and CT322 are useful reference points, though they do not follow the same route.

Rašeliniště Pele: Protected Moor and Distinctive Plants

The Rašeliniště Pele Nature Reserve is a protected peat bog at an early stage of development. Part of the area lies within the cadastral territory of Staňkov; this moor is considered unusual within the peat-rich Třeboň Basin. Public access is via a forest path from the settlement of Pele. Observe the area's protection rules when visiting.

The habitat’s distinctive features include floating mats of sphagnum moss with round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and a large population of lesser bladderwort (Utricularia minor). The noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) and the dragonfly species Leucorrhinia rubicunda also find a habitat there. This protected moorland is distinctly different from the open pond that defines Staňkov’s townscape.

Crafts, Wayside Shrines and a Festival

Historical local crafts in Staňkov included pottery, brickmaking and the production of wooden shingles. In particular, burning wood tar in several kilns shaped the crafts of the time. These activities offer another way to explore local history, alongside pond construction and its distinctive dam.

Along the road from Staňkov to Chlum u Třeboně are small Baroque wayside shrines, known as Boží muka. They belong to the type with Tuscan columns. The year “1820” is carved into the base; it was probably added later. This qualification relates specifically to the dating of the inscription.

The Na břehu festival is also a recurring cultural event: since its first edition in 2021, it has been held every year on the last weekend of July. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific event date for your visit.

Discover more destinations: Velký Ratmírov, Vnorovice, Kostelní Radouň, Nová Hlína, Bořetín U Strmilova, Ceska Olesna, Český Rudolec, Dívčí Kopy.

See the overview of the wider travel area: Okres Jindřichův Hradec.