Zprávy památkové péče 2016, 76(5):468-475

Pheasant house and game preserve at the Kozel u Šťáhlav hunting lodge

David Tuma

The article presents the hunting landscape of the Šťáhlavy area, formed by the Černín family of Chudenice from the 18th century, who used the older hunting grounds of the Kokořovec family of Kokořov. The landscape was later also significantly modified by the Wallenstein family, who acquired the estate in 1816. The central building of the Šťáhlavy dominion became the Kozel hunting lodge, set amidst a greatly modeled landscape, around which a large buffer zone was declared in 1994. The lodge occupied a dominant position on the eastern side of the vast forest enclaves, divided by the meadow valley of the Úslava River and the residential area with fields and meadows to the west. The hunting landscape of the Kozel lodge was supplemented by a game preserve and a pheasant house. The article also focuses on the riding trail that originated in the 19th century through the gradual transformation of the game preserve back into an area for free (open) hunting. The article tries to deepen the understanding of the development of the site and to determine the cultural-historical value protected zone as to the hunting facilities, which have become an integral part of the planned construction of the hunting seat. The development of the local landscape was analyzed and evaluated through a comparison of cartographic sources from a timeframe of 1764 to 1950, using written sources and field surveys. The combination of these methods resulted in the reconstruction of the extinct hunting landscape and an understanding of its development. The field survey (reconnaissance) showed the current state of the hunting facilities (former game preserve and pheasant house) and the riding trail. An understanding of the values of the area will ideally lead to better protection of this cultural heritage and will become a tool in applying the conditions of the established protective zone of the hunting lodge.

Keywords: pheasant house; Czernins of Chudenice; riding trail; hunting landscape; game preserve park; par force hunts; Šťáhlavy; Wallensteins; Kozel castle

Published: December 1, 2016  Show citation