DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-098-6-0217

HISTORICKÝ OTISK ČLOVĚKA V KRAJINĚ – ZANIKLÁ SÍDLA MORAVY A SLEZSKA

THE HISTORICAL HUMAN IMPRINTON THE LANDSCAPE – ABANDONED SETTLEMENTS OF MORAVIA AND SILESIA

Hana Vavrouchová ORCID...¹

¹ Ústav aplikované a krajinné ekologie, Agronomická fakulta, Mendelova univerzita v Brně, Zemědělská 1, 613 00 Brno, Česká republika

This study examines the historical human imprint on the landscape through the analysis of vanished settlements in Moravia and Silesia (Czech Republic), many of which disappeared after World War II due to forced population displacement. Despite their physical disappearance, diverse landscape relics of past human activity remain preserved in situ. The research applies an interdisciplinary approach combining historical map analysis, archival research, and field survey. Identified elements were classified into categories such as settlement relics, agrarian structures, communication features, and sacral objects, with emphasis on their preservation and landscape legibility. The results demonstrate significant variability in the degree of preservation, largely influenced by current land use. Well-preserved structures are typically found in less intensively used areas, especially in forested and mountainous regions, while intensively cultivated landscapes show substantial loss of historical features. A key finding is the discrepancy between physical preservation and the ability to interpret these elements within the landscape. From a theoretical perspective, these relics represent important components of landscape memory and contribute to cultural ecosystem services, particularly in terms of identity and non-material values. The study highlights their potential for heritage protection, tourism, and educational use, emphasizing their role in understanding long-term human–landscape interactions.

Keywords: historic landscape element, landscape identity, abandoned land, cultural heritage, landscape memory

pages: 217-225, online: 2026