ostrov Santos

Santos Island (Ostrov Santos) is a green island right in the heart of Sušice, wrapped on every side by the Otava River and the Mlýnský mill stream. It's the town's favourite spot for spending free time — part forest park, part playground, part open-air stage — just a short walk from the main square.

Where is the island and how do you get there?

Santos Island forms part of the Luh forest park, which runs along the river next to Sušice's town centre. Two crossings lead onto the island: a pedestrian footbridge from the Fuferen neighbourhood, and a bridge from Dlouhoveská street. Both approaches are open to the public, so you can plan your visit from either side of town without hunting for an island-side car park — there isn't one, since the island itself is pedestrian-only.

Where does the name "Santos" come from?

Despite what the name suggests, it has nothing to do with the Brazilian port city. Local boys in the interwar period named the island after the players of the Brazilian football club Santos, whom they idolised and imitated during games on the island. The nickname stuck so firmly that it's now the island's official name.

What's the island's history?

A municipal park was established on the island before the First World War. During the interwar First Czechoslovak Republic, Santos Island became a genuine social hub for the town — dances, gatherings and sporting events all took place here. Social life around the island faded after the Second World War, but it never disappeared from the town's map; residents kept using it for walks and occasional events. The turning point came in 2012, when a full revitalisation of the site began. The new architectural concept draws on the image of a boat sailing down the Otava, while the redesign preserved the character of the floodplain forest typical of the river's banks. The result was widely recognised: in 2013 the island won the Public's Choice Award in the Building of the Year competition for the Pilsen Region, followed by the Park of the Year title in 2014.

What can you do on the island today?

Santos Island combines a family park with a social meeting point. It has a large children's playground plus inflatable bouncy castles and slides that appear especially in summer. Fans of casual outdoor games will find an open-air bowling lane (kuželník). One end of the island holds the former "plovárna" — a riverside swimming spot with changing rooms — while the other end features a historic bell tower built in the workshop of sculptor Václav Fiala, its bell dedicated to the memory of František Ferda, a healer well known across the Šumava region. A bar, a grill stand and a fast-food kiosk cover food and drink, typically open daily from the morning during the season.

What events happen on Santos Island?

The island stays culturally active year-round, but summer is when it really comes alive. Regular fixtures include the Dramasteria theatre workshop, the Rozmarné léto v Sušici festival (roughly "Whimsical Summer in Sušice"), and the open-air Šumava Rocks music festival, which draws rock fans from across the region. These recurring events are why Santos Island shows up on most must-see lists for Sušice, rather than being treated as just a quiet riverside park.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the island free? Yes, the park itself is open to everyone free of charge — you only pay for food and drink at the bar and grill, or for seasonal extras like the bouncy castles.

Can you drive onto the island? No, Santos Island is pedestrian-only, reached via the footbridge from Fuferen or the bridge from Dlouhoveská street. Parking is available nearby in the town centre.

Can you still swim there? The island historically had a "plovárna" swimming area with changing rooms, but its seasonal operation varies, so it's worth checking locally before your visit.

When's the best time to visit? Summer is by far the liveliest season, with food stalls, inflatable attractions for kids, and the music and theatre festivals all running. Outside summer, the island is a quiet place for a riverside walk along the Otava.