In South Bohemia, where the Otava River meanders gently through rolling hills, lies Písek – a town so charming that time seems to have stood still. With its medieval core, the oldest stone bridge in the Czech Republic, and a touch of artistic flair, Písek is a place that tells stories without saying a word.
Even a stroll across the Royal Square (Královské náměstí), with its pastel-colored townhouses and magnificent town hall, evokes the spirit of centuries past. Bohemian kings once resided here, and even today, the atmosphere of history seems to linger among the arcades. But Písek is not just a muse – it is vibrant, full of cafés where the aroma of freshly baked sweet rolls fills the air, and galleries celebrating the legacy of the painter Mikoláš Aleš.
The 13th-century Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) is the heart of the town. Older than Prague's Charles Bridge and of equal grace, it spans the Otava River like a proud guardian. In summer, locals sit on its walls, dangle their legs over the water, and watch the kayakers battling their way through the rapids. The Otava itself, once rich in gold sand, bestowed Písek with its prosperity – and even today, a grain here and there glitters in the sunlight, as if the river wants to remind everyone of its treasures.
Above the town rises Castle Hill (Hradní vrch), where a royal castle once stood. Today, only fragments bear witness to its former splendor, but the view from up here more than compensates: a panorama of red roofs, church steeples, and the green ribbon of the Otava winding into the distance. If you're lucky, you might hear the soft ringing of the chapel from Glöckchenberg (Putim) – a sound that seems like a promise: Come again.
Písek is also a city of poetry. The poet Adolf Heyduk immortalized it in his verses, and to this day, the Literary Museum (Sladovna) attracts young visitors with its imaginative exhibitions. In the city park, where old trees rustle and peacocks strut, you might think time moves more slowly.