The Třeboň fishpond system is a unique water management work and one of the largest of its kind in Central Europe. It was gradually created from the 14th century, reaching its greatest expansion in the 16th century thanks to visionary builders such as Štěpánek Netolický and later Jakub Krčín of Jelčany. They designed a sophisticated network of more than 500 ponds interconnected by canals, ditches, and sluices, which to this day serve both for fish farming and for regulating water in the landscape. Among the most famous ponds are Svět, Opatovický, Horusický, and above all Rožmberk – the largest pond in the Czech Republic, often called the “South Bohemian Sea.”
Thanks to this system, the Třeboň region became the center of Czech fish farming and was inscribed on the list of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. The ponds are not only of economic importance but also of ecological value – they provide a home for many species of birds and aquatic animals and help maintain the natural balance of the landscape. The system is also a popular destination for tourists and cyclists who explore it along the dikes and canals. The Třeboň fishpond system thus remains a living testament to historical craftsmanship and the harmonious relationship between humans and nature that has endured to this day.
