Location Tour of South Bohemia: From the Middle Ages to the 1980s

Abandoned barracks, a campus from the 1980s, a functionalist villa, and a 14th-century fortress – the South Bohemia offers a variety of locations. Producers, location managers, and directors headed out on location tour on October 15 and 16, 2024, to explore the region's cinematic potential. The South Bohemia Film Office, in collaboration with the Czech Film Commission, organized the location tour.

“We focused on Vimperk and Prachatice and their surroundings. We wanted to provide filmmakers an overview of various interesting locations that are in close proximity to each other, enabling their potential to be better used,” explained Petra Marková from the Czech Film Commission. 

One of the highlights of the tour was the ability to connect with the local film office. “If a particular location caught the eye of the filmmakers as we were passing by, Hanka Kabashi from the South Bohemia Film Office quickly arranged access, allowing the eager filmmakers to step inside and explore its potential,” Marková added. 

Hanka Kabashi emphasized the dedication of the regional film office to showcasing the region's filming potential, stating, “We want to show filmmakers that even though it takes a bit longer to get to this part of South Bohemia, it's definitely worth it.” 

Volyně Outdoor Swimming Pool  

One of the oldest river swimming pools in the Czech Republic was built between 1939 and 1941 according to the plans of architect Václav Kolátor. The 18 x 50-meter pool, fed by the Volyňka River, remains original, as do the 30 wooden changing cabins and showers. The area is bordered by mature trees. 

Dub Chateau   

A single-story, four-winged structure with a small courtyard stands majestically in the center of the village. This neo-Gothic building has a rectangular floor plan, featuring a clock tower on its south-facing main facade. The chateau suffered significant damage in the latter half of the 20th century when it was used as a boarding school. However, since 1998, its current owners have been diligently restoring it to its former glory. The chateau complex includes adjacent farm buildings and a three-story granary.

Prachatice – Main Square, Streets

The town of Prachatice was founded on the Golden Path, a trade route connecting Bohemia with Bavaria, primarily used for salt trade. Originally, the only access to the town was through two gates – Písecká to the north and Pasovská to the south, linked by a circular street running along the city walls. The houses lining the square date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, showcasing Renaissance architecture, with later Empire-style modifications adding another layer to their historical facade.

Prachatice Outdoor Cinema  

The reconstruction of the summer cinema in Prachatice, completed this year, has earned a nomination for the Czech Architecture Award from the Czech Chamber of Architects. Mimosa Architects drew inspiration from film reels and other elements of classic cinematography for their design. The project seamlessly integrates the cinema with the adjacent Štěpánka Park. 

Prachatice Secondary School    

This two-story Neo-Renaissance building dates back to the late 19th century. Until the 1920s, it housed a German gymnasium, followed by a Czech one. In the 1980s, a modern extension with four classrooms was added at the back of the building, connected to the original structure by a corridor. The building boasts a beautiful assembly hall with a stage, wooden parquet flooring, and a painted ceiling. A wrought-iron railing adorns the central staircase, and the basement still has cage-like rooms that contain the old locker rooms.

Prachatice Congress Centre 

This versatile venue accommodates a wide range of events, from concerts and theatrical performances to cultural gatherings and even graduation balls. The center, which is connected to the adjacent Park Hotel, reopened in the spring of 2024 under new management that is committed to its upkeep and enhancement. 

Villa Kral  

This functionalist villa was designed in the 1930s by Fritz Reichl, who drew inspiration from Adolf Loos. Following World War II, the property, originally owned by Kral, a Sudeten German businessman, was expropriated and repurposed as a kindergarten. Remarkably, many original features remain intact, including built-in wardrobes, parquet floors, and a fireplace. 

Drslavice Fortress  

This Gothic-Renaissance fortress, dating back to the 14th century, originally served as a residence for lower nobility and later as a granary. The current owner is gradually restoring the property and plans to use it commercially, offering accommodation, a gallery, an inn, a wine cellar, and stables. The fortress was even a filming location for the 2017 fairytale film Čertoviny (Devilry) by Zdeněk Troška.

Klášterecký Viaduct    

This technical monument is located 2 km from Vimperk at the confluence of the Volyňka and Arnoštský streams. The four arches of the stone bridge, constructed from unplastered ashlar blocks, were completed in 1893, and the railway line was opened in 1900. The bridge is 65.60 m long, 5.50 m wide, 22.40 m high, and has a span length of 55.20 m.

Vimperk Chateau   

Originally a guard fortress overlooking the Golden Path, Vimperk Chateau was founded in the 13th century. In the 15th century, it was expanded with the addition of the Haselburg outer fortifications and connected to the fortified town. The 17th century saw extensive Renaissance renovations to the Upper Chateau and the construction of the Lower Chateau. After World War II, the chateau became state property and fell into disrepair until 2015 when gradual reconstruction began. Today, some of the interiors are furnished with period furniture, while others remain empty, awaiting their turn to be restored. 

Hotel and Restaurant Vodník    

The Vodník excursion restaurant is located in the valley of Křesánovský stream on the outskirts of Vimperk. Originally built in 1909 as an outdoor swimming pool, the restaurant boasts over a century of tradition and features a spacious terrace. Today, the operator also offers accommodation in a hotel, added to the restaurant in 2023, and in cabins.

Steinbrener Houses     

These two-story townhouses were built in the 16th century. The southern wing of the printing house was added in 1872. The dilapidated former printing house and birthplace of Johann Steinbrener is slated for conversion into a multifunctional cultural and social center in four years. Until the renovation begins, the building is available for filming. 

Vimperk Barracks     

The former barracks in the settlement of U Sloupů, 3 km from Vimperk, were built in 1953 and abandoned by the army in 2001. The complex, covering an area of 405,800 m² with a built-up area of 38,884 m², is owned by the town of Vimperk and currently used for commercial purposes. 

Other local locations whose operators are open to filming include the Neumannka Gallery, housed in a renovated Renaissance house in the center of Prachatice, and Štěpánka Park, a 0.44-hectare park with mature trees and a wooden gazebo located near the gallery.

Contact for filming in the South Bohemia Region:

South Bohemia Film Office, Hana Kabashi (kabashi@jccr.cz, +420 606 351 987)