Page 70 - UNESCO_Zatec_2021_A4

The nominated property represents the best preserved
and most authentic parts of this region. It is, by its nature,
an organically evolving cultural landscape, which has
been continuously, strongly influenced by one main
commodity since the Middle Ages. The property is located
in a unique position south of the long ridge of the Ore Geology, geomorphology,
Mountains, which function as a natural barrier against
the prevailing cold northern to northwest winds. This also and phytogeography
means a lower amount of precipitation. Central Poohří is According to the geomorphological division, the area
generally one of the driest areas in Bohemia, as it lies in is located in the Hercynian region, in the province of
the shadow of the Ore and Doupov Mountains. the Bohemian Highlands and on the border of the
geomorphological systems of the Ore Mountains and
The actual floodplain of the river Ohře, therefore, has the Czech Plate. The geological unit of the Bohemian
unique climatic conditions. At the same time, the river Massif covers the area.
offers plenty of surface and groundwater, which is vital for
both irrigation and the quality of the microclimate. The The geological basis consists of Tertiary formations,
climate, together with the quality of the soil, therefore, covered by deposits of the river Ohře with deposits
enabled the production of excellent, delicately aromatic
hops. These properties gave rise to the agro-industrial of loess, clay and gravel. On this subsoil, soils were
system of this specific monoculture influencing the created, mostly medium-heavy, clayey, which are
landscape and the hop growing town centre in Žatec. characteristic of the entire surroundings of Žatec.
2. Description Over the centuries, the landscape around Žatec has growing hops, namely black earth soils created on
These are agriculturally useful soils, suitable for

undergone a variety of historical and socio-economic
loess, or Cretaceous saliva. They are accompanied
changes, with significant changes in a large part of the
by brown earth on loess and rendzinas formed from
population and radical changes in the ownership of local
real estate. Saaz hops and their quality have become
most well-known variant of brown earth soils is the
a symbol associated not only with the inhabitants of carbonate weatherings of Cretaceous rocks. The
so-called "červenka" (medium-hard Permian red
the Czech Republic but with the name Žatec (Saaz). The soil), typical of the central Žatec region.
70 excellent quality of the finest Saaz hops, and therefore
the strong demand for them, contributed to the fact that
their fame has spread beyond the borders and built their The area belongs to the North Sea basin and the
reputation all around the world. hydrogeological region Most Basin -southern part.
The floodplain of the river Ohře is located mainly
in the area of the original meanders. The Q100
floodplain extends into the intra-urban areas of the
municipalities of Zálužice, Trnovany, and Strkovice.
There are both historic and newly built flood control
banks in the landscape. On the territory, there is
the river Ohře, the Blšanka stream, the Liběšický
stream, the Radičevská dyke, and other small
streams. The occurrence of wetlands in the places of
the original river meanders and a large number of
small streams, dykes, and mill-races is typical.

The climate is strongly influenced by relief, the
shape of the land. The basin is bordered on the
northwest and the west by mountains, of which
the Ore Mountains in particular fall with a steep
high slope. During the westerly flow, this creates
a large-scale anemo-orographic system, which, to
no small extent, conditions a mighty rain shadow.
According to data from 1961-2000, Žatecko is one
of the warmest regions in the Czech Republic;
the temperature conditions are comparable to
South Moravia, the Elbe Basin, and the Lower
Moravian Valley. The average precipitation is
August morning in the hop field, Stekník, 2019