Vchynicko-Tetovský plavební kanál: Příspěvek ke studiu industriální krajiny

Abstract

This paper was written to contribute to study of the post-medieval cultural landscape, especially the industrial landscape. It observes changes of landscape and settlement, which were affected by industrial activities in the middle of Šumava Mountain region. The reason why the landscape pattern has changed were industrial activities and also fabrication of Vchynicko-tetovský floating channel at the turn of the 18th and 19th century. Forests in this region were previously used mainly by glass and iron works, but the industrial activities and settlement culminated in the exploitation of the forests just because of oportunity of the wood floating. Formating and function of the channel was business intention of prince Schwarzenberg, who could due to floating of Vydra river and then other two rivers called Otava and Vltava fill the gap in the market with firewood in Prague. The landscape was already in the first decennium of the 19th century reformated negatively, namely in forest crops. The number of colonies of woodworkers increased. The problems came in 1870´s with windbreake and bark beetle calamities. Crisis and termination of the wood floating in the region came on the first half of 20th century in connection with world war and political changes. But the landscape and settlement experienced changes in folowing years of comunism as well. Next break came with the breakdown of iron curtain. The lanscape started to be perceived in another way, which was connected with nature protection and turism.