Destroyed Cultural Landscape of Považské Podhradie: Contribution to the Reconstruction and Revitalization of Cultural Landscapes
Abstract: The 18th and 19th century was in Czech and Slovak lands influenced by English landscape parks – specific cultural landscapes. Many of these parks were, as the time passed, drastically changed or totally disappeared. Technological progress, expansion of the built zones and insufficient protection of the past led to the loss of many valuable works. Such a case also is a cultural landscape in Považské Podhradie that was created as a complement to nobility seat – at first baroque, later after rebuilding a rococo mansion. After rebuilding of this estate also the change of the park succeeded, which at that time included also the ruins of the Bystrica Castle (Považský hrad) dominating the valley. Good quality landscape composition was created with a clearly perceivable dominant – a relict of medieval fortress architecture with dramatic views of the rocky formations and peaks of Súrov mountains. Today there is almost nothing left from this cultural landscape and into the valley whose banks were covered by it, is today filled with highway, high speed railway and high artificial water channel of the Váh river. How to deal with the country like the one mentioned? How to reconnect to the past and rediscover valuable cultural aspects? Article will be dealing with restoration and examples of disrupted landscapes, where the historical landscape composition of Považské Podhradie will serve as model study.
