Created by František Jahnátek
One of the biggest parts of our eastern-bohemian culture are the Great Mountains (Krkonoše) ans its tales. It is the home to our highest peak called Sněžka. It is1603 m tall mountain that lays half on Czech half and half Polish side of the border. The mountain range offers wide range of forrests, fields and lakes. A big part of the mountains is a protected bit of the country due to its variety of species that call the mountains home. This enchanting region also tells a bunch of old tales and stories. The most prominent figure is the spirito f Krakonoš. He is the protector of the local nature and helps respectful tourists. But as shown in a kids TV show and a new film he punishes the ones, that do harm.
Krkonoše are seeked out by sport enthusiasts. In winter you can try skiing or sowboarding in one of the many great ski resorts or if you like warmth you can stay in the many spas spreaded out through the whole region. Great for combining these activities is Špindlerův mlýn or for just relyxing by the warm pools is Janské lázně. In the summer hiking and mountain biking are popular choices, altough many times really challanging, the beautiful ladscapes are really worth it. I would also advise to visit during autumn to experince the beauty of mushrooming.
A big part of every culture is the food and beverages. Int he country with the best beer a try of Pilsen or local Krakonoš is a must, or for the younger Kofola soda is a good choice. The food doesnť fall short of the drinks with local favourites being Svíčková (slowly braised beef with root vegetable sauce and bread dumplings), Knedlo-vepřo-zelo (potato dumplings, cabbage and delicious pork) or for ones with a sweet tooth fruit dumpling are a great option. Don’t forget to stop by an ice cream shop to try točená zmrzlina (soft serve ice cream)!!!
INDUSTRY
The Harrach Glassworks in Neuwelt (Nový Svět) in the Krkonoše Mountains is one of the most influential and well-known companies. It’s also the oldest glass company in our country, this company was created in 1712. The glass factory cooperated with famous artists, including the designer Jan Kotěra and the painter Alfons Mucha. For many years, pieces from the Krkonoše won one prestigious award after another at world exhibitions. The end of prosperity came with the world wars when the Nový svět and the Harrach family parted ways. However today, you can find the glassworks still in operation and full glory under the name Novosad and Son.
Textile factories
Textile factories were quite ubiquitous for Krkonoše. For example, in 1946, the Czech flax Textile Works Trutnov with more than 50 branches was established by merging all nationalized companies in the Trutnov region. At that time, they were the largest linen company in the country. Three years later it was split into the national companies Texlen, Úpolen a Lenka. In 1958, they were again merged into one large enterprise Texlen Trutnov. It also had factories in the Náchod and Semily regions and at that time employed more than six thousand people. It included spinning mills and weaving mills, whose products (tablecloths, towels, and sails) were famous all over the world.
Nowadays most textile factories in Krkonoše don’t work, they are just old ruins.
Paper mills
In Krkonoše, there has been paper production since the 16th century. Probably the most well-known factory is located in Hostinné. Their production started in 1835. In early 2000s, Papírny Brno, a.s. and Plzeňské papírny, a.s. were taken over. In 2008, Krkonoššské papírny was split into several companies, with KRPA PAPER being one of them, and KRPA Holding was formed.
Recently, KRPA PAPER has been devoted to the production of high-quality greaseproof and barrier packaging and silicone-coated papers.
Also, in Krkonoše, we have a manufacture that does handmade paper, letterpress, and bookbinding. Their production of Japanese washi paper, using the dynamic nagashi-zuki technique is unique. It dates to the 6th century BC, has been preserved in its original form to this day, and is a UNESCO Intangible Heritage Site.
Landscape of Krkonoše
= the highest mountain range in the Czech Republic.
-The source of rivers Elbe, Malá Elbe, Úpa, Jizerka and Mumlava is located there.
In Krkonoše is also located the only glacial lake in ČR. It’s called Mechové Jezírko (Moss pond)
-We can also find the ,,Krkonošský národní park” which is Krkonoše national park.
-There are many rare and protected plants in the Krkonoše mountains. One of the most famous and rarest is the „mountain snowdrop“. The plant is found only in a certain geographical area, in this case in the higher elevations of Central Europe, including the Krkonoše.
-There is dominantly Arctic Alpine tundra, which includes the lichen tundra of the highest peaks and ridges, the grassy tundra.
-Out of the twenty highest peaks of the Czech Republic, 15 of them are located right here.
-In the mountains we can also find remains of WWII bunkers, they were built for defense but never used. The German army was just trying their new anti-bunker weapons on them. The smaller bunkers were called ,,řopík”.
Mountain chalet farming, a traditional form of agriculture practiced in mountainous regions, played a significant role in Eastern Bohemia's history. The region's rugged terrain, characterized by the Krkonoše and Orlické Mountains, provided fertile ground for this type of farming. Mountain chalets, or "chati" in Czech, were small settlements established by farmers who sought to utilize the high-altitude pastures for grazing livestock and cultivating crops suited to the alpine environment.The arrival of Austrian mountaineers in Eastern Bohemia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries contributed to the development of mountain chalet farming. Austrian expertise in mountaineering and alpine agriculture brought new techniques and knowledge to the region, enhancing productivity and expanding the scope of chalet farming. These settlers also brought with them a rich cultural heritage that influenced the local traditions and way of life in Eastern Bohemia.The interwar period in Eastern Bohemia was marked by both prosperity and turmoil. Economic growth and industrialization brought opportunities for the region's inhabitants, leading to increased prosperity in urban centers such as Hradec Králové and Pardubice. However, the political landscape was volatile, with tensions rising between ethnic Czechs and the German-speaking minority in Sudetenland.The rise of Heinleinists, followers of Konrad Henlein's Sudeten German Party advocating for the rights of ethnic Germans in Czechoslovakia, exacerbated tensions in Eastern Bohemia. The Heinleinists capitalized on grievances among the Sudeten Germans, exploiting economic disparities and cultural differences to garner support for their separatist agenda. This ethno-nationalist rhetoric fueled animosity between Czechs and Germans, setting the stage for the annexation of Sudetenland by Nazi Germany in 1938.The annexation of Sudetenland was a pivotal moment in Eastern Bohemia's history, as it brought an end to Czechoslovakia's territorial integrity and subjected the region to Nazi rule. The Sudeten Germans, emboldened by Hitler's expansionist policies, welcomed the annexation, while Czechs faced discrimination and persecution under the new regime. The Czechoslovak government's decision to cede Sudetenland to Germany in the Munich Agreement of 1938 was met with outrage and betrayal among Czechs, deepening the divide between ethnic communities in Eastern Bohemia.The aftermath of World War II brought significant changes to Eastern Bohemia, particularly with the expulsion of German settlers as part of post-war border adjustments and population transfers. The Potsdam Agreement of 1945 stipulated the expulsion of ethnic Germans from Czechoslovakia, resulting in the displacement of thousands of Sudeten Germans from Eastern Bohemia. This mass exodus reshaped the demographic composition of the region, leading to a predominantly Czech population in the post-war era.The expulsion of German settlers also had profound socio-economic repercussions for Eastern Bohemia. The loss of skilled labor and expertise in sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing disrupted local industries and contributed to economic stagnation in the immediate post-war years. However, the resettlement of Czech refugees and the implementation of land reforms aimed at redistributing formerly German-owned properties revitalized Eastern Bohemia's economy and laid the foundation for its reconstruction and recovery.
PERSONALITIES
Jan Buchar
Marie Kubátová
Copy of Borderland Chronicles Brochure.pdf
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fIJxwSTGE8rC4ifjzVo8QJORwfFRoLpbpGGC5p8E7eY/edit?usp=sharing
Fotky na iCloudu (1).zip
Personalities.pptx
