Jakub Krčín of Jelčany water channel at Kratochvíle
Abstract: Aim of the work: Identification and mapping of a forgotten, in the relevant archival literature mentioned historical water work from the Renaissance period, Jakub Krčín of Jelčany water channel at Kratochvíle chateau in the landscape region of Netolicko. Research methods: Field surveys, analyzes of historical map works, and Lidar survey of the territory. The paper is devoted to the description of the solution to the problem of mapping and documentation of forgotten water work in the former cadaster of Obora, the natural landscape of the Rosenberg hunting ground at the Kratochvíle chateau. In addition to standard field surveys, the process of mapping the above work offers the use of a set of historical archive maps showing the area, archival aerial photographs, and last but not least, modern digital terrain maps using satellite imagery and LIDAR 5G technology. The result of the above analyzes and field surveys is the identification of all preserved and today only partly functional sections of the former channel, as well as its’ sections lost due to modern forest and agricultural production in times of totalitarianism. The significance of the achieved results lies in the detailed knowledge of the former function of the channel, connecting in the length of 8 km and in the elevation of 10 m the sub-mountain pond system from the Renaissance, which was as the Krčínka channel also founded by Jakub Krčín of Jelčany. This artificial technical work, winding along the horizons of the landscape, connected the systems of numerous ponds in the basin of three streams and three valleys to provide enough water for the chateau of Vilém of Rožmberk at Kratochvíle with richly equipped gardens al´ Italiana. The mapping, documentation, and detailed technical description of the above work thus become an important focus of the local community and the heritage monument authorities and will be used for a comprehensive presentation and interpretation of the unique cultural monument of Kratochvíle chateau in its natural and historically structured landscape from the times of Renaissance.
