DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-831-3-0327

Specific genius loci of abandoned settlements in Moravia and Silesia – opportunity for recreation in remote areas

Hana Vavrouchová, Veronika Peřinková, Tomáš Mašíček

Within the territory of settlements physically disappeared in Moravia and Silesia after the WWII (the database of these localities you can see at zanikla-sidla.cz), can be observed significant changes in the landscape structure. These trends of changes can be divided into four basic typological groups: 1) afforestation of visually open localities (most often at higher altitudes), 2) change in the structure of the agricultural land with a simultaneous increase in woody vegetation (most often at lower altitudes); 3) preservation of historical landscape structures (rather rare state); and 4) irreversible land use change (usually connected with the mining or water reservoir constructions). Each of these landscape types offers significant potential for tourism development. This potential is supported by specific elements (most often buildings or theirs ruins) resembling the previous presence of people, and completing the genius loci of the area. The significant objects connected with abandoned settlement are churches, chapels, small sacral buildings and cemeteries. These constructions are preserved within several localities without the regional differences but in the Bruntál region (50° N., 17°24′ E) they are more frequent. Efforts to restore these buildings are evident across the localities, and many of this objects fulfill their primary function. Other elements connected with previous human presence are also represented on abandoned settlements´ localities, such as stone paths, bridges and very distinctive landscape elements – stone walls.

Klíčová slova: land use change, cultural heritage, tourism, peripheral areas, renewal of traditions

stránky: 327-331, Publikováno: 2022, online: 2022