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Manual filling of hop sacks attached to the press at floor level, hop warehouse, Žatec, around 1950

especially by the southern part of component part 02. Hop certification
Several dozen warehouses and packing centres sprung In 1833, when the Association of Hop Growers was
up as well as the chimneys of the sulphur chambers. The established in Žatec, systematic certification of the origin
hop-related buildings imprinted a unique and specific of Saaz hops was introduced, limited only to hops grown
character in this part of the town. in the town’s cadastre. Bales with hops were sealed,
and certification was issued. The first "Public Hops
The development of the hop growing and processing Certification Centre" was actually the town hall, where 119
sectors brought an increased need for certain trades sealing was carried out on the ground floor. The town also
along with the emergence of entirely new occupations. benefited from the corresponding fees from this activity.
The rhythm of life adapted to the cultivation, processing,
and trade of hops, which left an indelible mark on the fate
of the people, the appearance of the close and distant
landscapes, and the architecture of Žatec.

At the end of the 19 century, Žatec was a lively and
th
economically important centre in northwest Bohemia. It
was at the junction of two important railway networks (see
below) that undoubtedly contributed to the rapid growth
of the industry. The railway connection had a particularly
significant impact on the transport and trade in hops. In
1900, Žatec had 15,900 inhabitants and 1,034 houses. 161
registered companies were dealing in the sale of hops, and
there were 53 hop warehouses and packing centres. Two
breweries complemented the industrial businesses of
Žatec and the significant agricultural production of mostly
hops, cucumbers, and vegetables. The development of
hop growing around Žatec was also connected with the
significant expansion of railway transport. Modern and
high-capacity transport contributed to the prosperity
of the area not only due to the transport of hops for
certification or to resellers, but especially due to the
provision of a coal supply for heating kilns and the
transport of people who came to the countryside to pick
hops. Each of the hop growing communities, therefore,
sought to ensure that the line ran through their territory
and that there was a railway station in it. Hop traders waiting for certification of authenticity of their hops in bales,
the Public Hops Certification Centre, Chmelařské Sq., No.1612, Žatec, 1931