Onen svět

Onen svět is a wooden observation tower standing on the hill of the same name (327 m above sea level) in the Hrby range, part of the Březnická upland, right next to the village of Lašovice, in the Písek district of the Czech Republic.

Where exactly is the tower located?

The tower sits on the border between the Central Bohemian and South Bohemian regions, close to the Orlík dam on the Vltava river, about 40 km north of the town of Písek. The surrounding area is quiet, made up of forests and meadows, away from the main tourist routes — a plus for anyone looking for a peaceful spot.

How do you get there?

The access road ends at a parking lot right in front of a mountain lodge next to the tower, so the final stretch on foot is very short. This makes the viewpoint easy to reach even for visitors who are not looking for a long hike, and the lodge next to the tower is a natural place to rest before or after climbing up.

What can you see from the viewing platform?

The roofed viewing platform, set at a height of 11 metres, opens up a wide panorama of the surrounding countryside. From here you can see the Písek Hills (Písecké hory), the Šumava mountain range, Orlík Castle, part of the Orlík reservoir (Orlická přehrada), and the Brdy hills. On clear days, the cooling towers of the Temelín nuclear power plant are also visible, making this one of the more interesting viewpoints in this part of the Czech Republic.

What is the history behind the tower?

The tower opened in 2001. It is also known as Langova rozhledna, named after the former owner of the local estate, a man known for his love of the landscape, on whose initiative the tower was built. In 2006 it received a fresh coat of paint, which is one reason it remains in good condition today.

How is the tower built?

Onen svět takes the shape of a truncated square pyramid and stands 14 metres tall. The structure is entirely wooden and has four levels. A staircase of 47 steps leads up to the roofed viewing platform — a modest climb for the panorama waiting at the top.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the view depends on distant landmarks — mountain ranges, a dam, a power plant — the best time to visit is on days with clear air, typically in spring and autumn when visibility tends to be best. The roofed platform means the tower can be visited even in uncertain weather, though heavy fog or haze will noticeably shorten the range of the view.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the Onen svět tower? The tower is 14 metres tall, and the viewing platform itself sits at a height of 11 metres.

How many steps do you need to climb? The viewing platform is reached via 47 steps spread across four levels.

Why is it also called Langova rozhledna? After the former owner of the local estate, a landscape enthusiast on whose initiative the tower was built in 2001.

What exactly can you see from the top? The Písek Hills, the Šumava range, Orlík Castle, part of the Orlík reservoir, the Brdy hills, and, on clear days, the cooling towers of the Temelín nuclear power plant.