Jan Štifter is a South Bohemian writer. In 2026 he published the book Vltavice, whose story is set in the area of the vanished village of Dolní Vltavice, on the bed of the Lipno Reservoir.[1][2]
According to Štifter, a few days after the novel was published, gravestones from the original cemetery in Dolní Vltavice emerged as the water level of the Lipno Reservoir fell. [3] According to the author, the story of the novel Vltavice takes place directly in this abandoned cemetery. [3]
Twelve gravestones were saved, the oldest dating from 1849, and their future location is still to be discussed. [4] Štifter said the stones had to be rescued quickly because, in his words, treasure hunters operate around the Lipno Reservoir and carry off anything that can be sold. [3]
Štifter is preparing another book about the Lipno area called Fenomén Lipno, which is meant to be a personal guide to the landscape and its stories. [4]
In an interview from October 2026 he said that the idea for the novel came to him about four years earlier, right at the shore of the Lipno Reservoir. [5] According to Blesk, he drew on archives, photographs and maps while preparing the book and walked the shore of the Lipno Reservoir. [5]
Before it was flooded, Dolní Vltavice had a school, a church, a cemetery and a square. [4]
Sources
- Novinky.cz
- iDNES.cz — 14 October 2026
- Český rozhlas České Budějovice — 22 October 2026
- Deník: České Budějovice / Jižní Čechy — 16 October 2026
- Blesk.cz — 1 October 2026