Through the Park of Kafka’s Castle to the Lužnice River

This trip takes us to the Harrach family castle in Strkov, a part of Planá nad Lužnicí. It is believed that Franz Kafka, who spent a holiday in Planá, was inspired by this very castle for his novel The Castle. The manor is surrounded by a renovated park along the Strkov pond, decorated with wooden sculptures of local birds and animals. The sculptures are carved from trees that once grew in the park.

Route:

Park near the Strkov bus stop and walk to the castle park. Follow the educational trail dedicated to local birds, which leads through the old castle alley to the dam of the Hejtman pond. This largest pond in Planá has a nature reserve on the island of Markéta in its center. Cross the dam on an old cobbled road, enjoy romantic views of the pond, and continue to the Lužnice River into the Na Černé cottage area. Pause at the footbridge over the stream flowing from Hejtman, which offers a lovely view of the river. Along the right bank of the river (passing, for example, the Hrušínský family’s cottage), you will reach the center of Planá, where you can refresh yourself and visit the local Small Planá Museum and the Fara Gallery with its information center. From there, follow the red and yellow tourist trail markers back to Strkov.