Page 156 - UNESCO_Zatec_2021_A4

which was helped by the fact that most buildings have with each other and influenced each other, Žatec and the
lost their original purpose relatively recently; Landscape of Saaz Hops became a globally recognised
centre of hops, particularly in the 19 century.
th
A unique concentration of industrial buildings in
historically connected parts of the town centre and Numerous specific skills, knowledge and experience on
Prague Suburb demonstrate a long tradition, rapid work organisation in hop production was passed from
development and a high standard of hops processing at generation to generation. The empiric-based approach
the transnational level; gradually improved and developed into a socio-economic
and technical system, which survives today. Targeted
The trade mark of Saaz hops which is recognised not breeding of particular hop varieties subsequently led
only in Europe and which is the result of a long tradition to a new independent and locally conducted discipline
of hop growing which evolved into a scientifically based which uses hop fields in the nominated property for
breeding with a global impact; the town of Žatec still basic research. The outcome of such endeavours are
keeps its position as the centre of hops thanks to the internationally recognised clones of Saaz hops. Every
research and development organisations based there;
year many experts from all over the world gather at the
3. Justification for Inscription associated with the hop plant, which include the The celebration of the living intangible heritage of hops
site to participate in specialised events, conferences and
workshops the organisation of which has a long tradition.
The maintained continuity of unique traditions
in the nominated landscape is reflected in the public and
living intergenerational transfer of knowledge, skills,
traditions and customs associated with the hop
social events associated with the annual cycle of hop
growing, seasonal festivities, local customs, rituals and
farming and processing seasons and traditional rituals
related to them;
festivals closely linked with hops and strengthening the
identity of Žatec, its residents, and the surrounding hop
growing landscape.
The nominated property demonstrates its important
commercial role as the global market leader in the hop
industry based on the interactions between diverse
many events and hop festivals (eg. spring, harvest)
social groups, communities and cultures which in the
organised in the facilities associated with hop production
past generated its wealth and reputation. This strong cultural tradition is annually reinforced by
and at the open public spaces both in the town and in the
156 countryside. These events are mainly related to the hop
growing seasonal milestones. They follow on the past
3.1.b CRITERIA UNDER WHICH customs and rituals of the hop growers (eg. Hop-Growers’
INSCRIPTION IS PROPOSED Day, St. Lawrence gathering) and they help to preserve
the public awareness of the hop growing and processing.
Criteria selected for the Outstanding Universal Value
include the following ones: (iii), (iv) and (v). This decision
was made after a careful analysis and comparison of Criterion (iv)
the criteria used for the crop producing agricultural The Property is an outstanding example of a type of
landscapes inscribed in the World Heritage List (for more building, architectural or technological ensemble or
details see Chapter 3.2 and the tables). landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in
human history.

Criterion (iii) Žatec and the Landscape of Saaz Hops is an outstanding
The Property bears a unique or at least exceptional example of a unique type of a monoculture landscape
testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization associated with hop growing and processing both in
which is living or which has disappeared. the rural and urban environment. Throughout the time
various methods of hop drying, preservation, packaging,
Žatec and the Landscape of Saaz Hops bears an quality certification and breeding were developed in
exceptional testimony of a strong, centuries’ long this specific hop growing regions, as well as outstanding
and never interrupted living cultural tradition of hop examples of buildings, architectural and technological
growing and processing in Europe concentrated on ensembles and production landscape.
a relatively small area. This tradition is based on the
exceptional quality of most sought-after Saaz hops which The rural landscape visual quality is particularly defined
is a globally recognised and protected by administrative by hop fields with their typical trellises consisting of
acts since the Age of Enlightenment reforms in the former poles and wires, rural settlements with preserved farm
Austrian monarchy. As a result of the innovations in hop buildings and barns where hops were dried and stored,
production and booming trade with the commodity in a residence of the local landlord which is a dominant
huge demand in the world in which the Czech, German landmark in the landscape as it rises above the
and Jewish communities were involved and interacted preserved historic hop fields which are still in use. The