Page 98 - UNESCO_Zatec_2021_A4

The component part 01 (Saaz Hop Landscape) contains the which possessed suitable conditions. The quality of beer
historic villages of Stekník and Trnovany. The village of Stekník improved, thanks to increased requirements for the quality
is first mentioned in writing in 1389, Trnovany, in 1088. of the ingredients, especially the hops. The increased
interest of burghers in hop cultivation is, therefore,
The component part 02 (Žatec) was already at this time understandable.
a residential centre with a strategic location and significant
privileges. Essential town privileges, which were granted There was a great demand for Saaz hops, which is why,
to Žatec by King Přemysl Otakar II in 1265, also included according to entries in the town books, the area of hop fields
the regular prohibition of establishing pubs "within one near Žatec gradually expanded. At that time, more than half
mile from the town". This year can therefore be considered of the hop fields in Bohemia were in Žatec and its immediate
indirect proof of beer brewing in Žatec, and it can be surroundings.
assumed that the cultivation of hops in the Žatec region
was also used to brew the local beer. The area of the nominated component part 01 was still used
for agricultural activities; in the village of Stekník, a chateau
Back in the 13 century, a group of "právovárečníci" has been mentioned since 1539, a fortress belonging to the
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(holders of the right to brew beer) originated in Žatec and Kaplíř family from Sulevice.
were concentrated mainly around the main square.
The centre of the area, the town of Žatec, which had optimal
The first direct written mention of Saaz hops comes from preconditions for growing quality hops and an exceptionally
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the 14 century, and it states that in 1348 a Žatec burgher convenient location by the navigable river Ohře, which
Albert sold his plots of land in the villages of Kole, Mlynáře, flows into the river Elbe, further expanded its hop fields. It
2. Description Jeclin nicknamed Bohatý (Rich). and foreign markets to a greater degree. During this time,
also participated in the sale of hops both in the domestic
and by Stroupeček, including a hop field, to a Žatec burgher
Žatec (Saaz) gave its name to the main hop growing area of
Bohemian hops, and it became the center of knowledge for
At this time, hops were grown in Žatec both in gardens and
hop culture, not only for hop growers across the Bohemia
on hop fields. As in other royal towns, Žatec brewed beer
based on the so-called "beer brewing right" in selected
burgher houses. In 1376, Charles IV confirmed "právo but also from neighbouring countries.
mílové" (the right of miles) for the production of malt, In the 15 century, town councillors determined the
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98 brewing, selling of beer, and its drawing from taps in pubs. ripeness of the hops and protected them from falsification
and adulteration with foreign, coarse hops. They verified
the origin of the hops with municipal or special seals and
a written certificate, attesting that the hops were grown
2.b2 HOP GROWING DURING by the town and we profess to their goodness.
THE 15 –18 CENTURY
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Attention was also given to the methodology for growing
The establishment and expansion of towns in the hops. One of the oldest instructions on hop cultivation
High Middle Ages generally brought in a new era in the was written before 1540 by Mikuláš Černobýl (1495–1556),
development of Czech hop growing. The increase of a Žatec burgher and pedagogue of the Latin school. We
municipal brewing resulted in greater hop consumption, find mention of Saaz hops and beer also in the works of
which led to the founding of further hop fields in all places the significant Czech Renaissance scientist Tadeáš Hájek

View of a hop field below the chateau, photo by J. Wara, Stekník, early 20 century
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