Věncova hora

Věncova hora is a 651-metre hill in the Kaplice Trench, part of the Novohradské Foothills in South Bohemia, rising above the village of Chlumec, which today belongs to the municipality of Záluží. It is the highest point of this part of the foothills, sitting roughly halfway between České Budějovice and Český Krumlov, near Dolní Třebonín.

Where does the name come from?

The story behind the hill's name is a small curiosity in itself. It was originally called Hraniční hora, meaning "Border Hill" — Grenzberg in German. Over time this evolved into the similar-sounding Kranzberg, and when the name was later rendered into Czech, someone linked the German word "Kranz" (wreath) to it, giving rise to the modern name Věncova hora, or "Wreath Hill." It's a textbook case of folk etymology, where sound-alike similarity won out over the original meaning.

What will you find at the summit?

Although the summit today is covered by dense forest with no buildings in sight, things looked very different in the late 18th century. Between 1778 and 1779, the last abbot of Zlatá Koruna Monastery, Bohumír Bylanský, had a small "lusthauz" — a pleasure house — built on the hilltop, part stone and part timber. It contained a dining room, a kitchen, the abbot's chamber with its own chapel, servants' quarters, and a stable. It served as a kind of summer retreat for the abbot, offering views across the rolling hills of the Kaplice Trench.

Much later, at the foot of the hill, a very different kind of gathering place appeared — a forest amphitheatre known as Háječek, also remembered as the forest dance floor "Na kopcích." It came into being after a strong windstorm brought down part of the forest. A local farmer, Jan Janás, made use of the resulting clearing by building a wooden stage and shed, tidying up the surrounding trees, and adding simple benches. A village theatre troupe made up of young people from the surrounding villages formed here and staged performances for a time. Today only dense forest remains where the amphitheatre once stood, but the story is a charming trace of the area's folk culture.

How to get to Věncova hora?

The hill lies in an easily accessible area on the route between Český Krumlov and České Budějovice, close to the villages of Dolní Třebonín and Chlumec. It makes for a pleasant few-hour walk, especially for visitors looking for a quieter alternative to the region's more popular summits, such as Kleť. The surrounding landscape is typical of the foothills — gentle, forested rises, quiet villages, and light foot traffic, which is exactly what appeals to hikers seeking a peaceful outing.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring, summer and early autumn are the best seasons for a hike here, when forest paths are dry and easy to follow, and the deciduous woodland at the top offers welcome shade on hot days. In autumn, the Kaplice Trench takes on an especially scenic golden colour.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Věncova hora? The hill reaches 651 metres above sea level and is the highest point of the Kaplice Trench, part of the Novohradské Foothills.

Where does the name Věncova hora come from? It resulted from a linguistic mix-up: the original Hraniční hora ("Border Hill") became the German Kranzberg, which was mistakenly translated into Czech as "wreath hill," echoing the German word Kranz (wreath).

Are there any remains of buildings on the summit? No, the 18th-century pleasure house built for the abbot of Zlatá Koruna Monastery has not survived — the summit is now covered by dense forest.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes, at the foot of the hill once stood the forest amphitheatre Háječek, tied to the local tradition of village folk theatre.