This work summarises data on the spider fauna (Araneae) of the Šumava Mts. (Bohemian Forest, Böhmerwald) National Park and Protected Landscape Area (southwest Bohemia), in the period 1858–2023. We abstracted data from all available literature and our own research initiated in 1971. In our own research, we focused on all available habitats, both natural ones and those influenced by humans. These included namely peat bogs, mountains forest, mountain meadows, wetlands, riverbanks and buildings. Altogether, we identified a total of 455 spider species, many of which belong among rare and endangered in the Czech Republic. Overview of their ecological preferences and importance for nature conservation are provided. Within the Czech Republic, nine species are found only in Šumava: Carorita limnaea, Centromerus dilutus, Dictyna major, Gnaphosa badia, Gnaphosa microps, Micaria aenea, Pardosa ferruginea, Pardosa hyperborea and Cybaeus tetricus. The last mentioned species is the first record for the Czech Republic.