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Village Centre from across the pond
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Literature is very thin about this little village but ever since the ascension of the Czech Republic into the European Union, serious efforts to boost tourism have been made. Slowly, its history and deep rooted cultures and traditions were uncovered and made known. It turned out that this village was in fact a centre of agriculture since the 14th century and remained strong until the 19th Century. My research on Czech history revealed that from the 12th century till 1611, most of South Bohemia was under control of the Rozmberk family, an important Czech aristocratic dynasty. Really, it was their insight that gave the landscape its present day appearance. Although, clearing were originally made only to drain the wetlands, and rid of deadly peat bog areas, farmhouses and settlements followed. Fish ponds where soon constructed making fish farming a major industry in the 15th and 16th century. By the 19th century, there were about 80 farms that existed in Kojakovice. Sadly, these traditional livelihoods could no longer sustain its inhabitants and more and more of its young and educated folk moved away to towns leaving the old in their farmhouses. The decline continues even until now and no more than 150 people live in Kojakovice today. Alas, here lies the perfect serenity of an ancient village, beautiful landscapes untouched by development, no pollution or noise except for the nature sounds of birds and crickets. No wonder, this preserved past is recognized as a Monument Zone within the Trebón Protected Landscape Area and Biosphere Reserve, appropriately conferred not based on monumental buildings associated with nobility, but upon the unique ground plan of the 600 year old village.
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