Page 159 - UNESCO_Zatec_2021_A4

further trading. All this clearly illustrates the story of hops coming from the second half of the 20 century do not
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in the rural area and create a visual unity underpinned by interfere with the site of the nominated property and
large areas of hop fields. they are exposed only in some long-distance vistas.

The fertile sediments of the floodplain around
watercourses, the location of the hop fields in their 3.1.d STATEMENT OF AUTHENTICITY
vicinity and the village of Stekník situated in a safe,
elevated place - all this contributes to the thematic and The nominated property consists of two landscape
visual integrity of the property. Local nature, climate component parts which complement each other.
and social conditions are a good prerequisite for the They both are preserved in the authentic footprint
continuity of hop growing in this component part thus and overall mass which is a clear testimony of the
preserving its integrity. traditional methods of hop growing in the landscape.

The visual integrity of the component part 01 is Functional authenticity of the hop rural landscape
strengthened by the morphology of the site the boundary (component part 01) has been fully preserved and lies
of which has been delineated to include not only the in the locations of hop fields which have not changed
flat parts of the river floodplain but also the elevated and the presence of watercourses. The authenticity of
area in the south-east. There are several walking trails rural settlements which served as a base to the farmed
from which it is possible to admire the integrity of the fields is also significant. The landscape organisation
component part both from inside the site as well as and functional links are reflected in the historic
around its perimeter. Monitoring the site integrity in the communication network which is still used.
future will also be helped by the recently opened walking
trail along the eastern and south-eastern boundary of the The buildings in the rural landscape component part
component part on the elevated terrain above the flat 01 have a high degree of authenticity. This applies both
part of the landscape where the hop fields are situated. to individual buildings, farmsteads and the residence
of the local landlord (chateau), large Baroque granary
The component part 02 is a large urban complex of which was later converted into a hop drying kiln and
a high integrity covering the whole story of hops in the in more recent times also housed the hop picking
urban environment whose individual elements provide machines. The village of Stekník has preserved
a complete picture of the history of the town of Žatec a unique footprint and mass of buildings which is 159
as a world-famous centre for centuries associated documented in many historical maps. In the village
with processing and exporting high quality hops: there there is a large historical complex still in operation
are all types of buildings typical of the medieval town where numerous traditional processes associated
footprint as well as buildings not seen elsewhere which with hop growing and harvesting are carried out by
illustrate the processing of hops for trade purposes. The the Hop Research Institute, which is the owner of the
compact urban organism includes the town centre with local hop fields.
preserved lofts used for drying hops and the adjacent
Prague Suburb which is a unique example of the rapid Most buildings and structures in the village are
growth in the number of buildings at the end of the authentic; modernization took place without
19 century which expanded the already existing urban imparting strong visual impact. There are no elements
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structure. On a relatively small area of the Prague Suburb, disturbing the landscape, probably a part from
several dozen typologically unique hop-related buildings a modern metal ball containing water for irrigation
are concentrated: warehouses, drying kilns with high purposes which rises high above the houses but very
chimneys, packaging houses, trademark stamping and important for keeping this landscape living.
certification facilities and many more. However, the state
of conservation of the old warehouses is variable. Some The character of the town as centre of hop processing
of buildings have been properly restored, such as the and trade (component part 02) has been preserved in
Hop Museum Žatec and Temple of Hops and Beer. Several a mostly complete state. Many buildings and technical
others are empty, waiting for a new use and funding equipment have remained in their original state,
to preserve them for the future. For some buildings providing a reliable and authentic impression of the
a restoration has already been carried out or is about to industry and its influence on the architecture and
be carried out. Finding a new use and restoration funds shape of the town. Some of them no longer serve their
for the remaining abandoned warehouses will be a great original function but remain in a stable condition.
challenge for the integrity in next future.
The buildings in the historic centre of Žatec display
The town of Žatec which is situated on an elevated plateau authentic signs of an older traditional method of hop
above the river displays a high degree of visual integrity drying in the lofts of town houses when smaller hop
accentuated by the chimneys of sulphuring chambers fields were an integral part of the town centre and
and hop drying kilns. The modern housing developments they were also situated immediately outside the town