Blatenský vodní příkop Water structure

Blatenský vodní příkop, German Erbwassergraben (Hereditary water moat), is one of the unique water structures. It is an artificial water feeder leading from the nature reserve of the Boddar Peat through mountain terrain to the town of Horní Blatná in the Krušné Mountains. It originated in one of the most important epoch of Czech industrial history.

The moat was built in 1540-1544 by builder Stephan Lenk based on practical needs. In the 16th century, in the Hornoblaten tin field, the necessary hydropower sources were necessary to drive mining machinery and to process ore. The water was also used to transport construction and fuel wood. The construction of this water work has become a driving force for the development of mining activity throughout the area. During the same century, the moat became the sole property of Upper Blatna. The decisive moment was 1570, when Emperor Maxmilián II. issued a special decree guaranteeing protection of the water ditch and granting the city the right to collect water charges. This privilege gave the whole part of his title.

The moat stretches nearly 13 kilometres from the northern edge of the Boddar peat pit through the locality of Myslivna, Ryžně and Bludna to the north side of Blatensky Hill to Horní Blatná. It is located at an altitude of 975 to 945 metres and exceeds 32 metres. The coryto was originally dug up in the field and reinforced by stones, the banks built as mounds one metre high. The water flows with a slight slope of one meter per hundred meters. The original width was two metres, and today it is roughly half of the route. In order to keep the moat functional in harsh mountain conditions, spruce was planted around it and some sections were covered with branches in winter. The system plays with stops, raids and drain channels provided flow control. The maintenance was handled by permanent guards who kept the work operational for centuries.

Although the moat gradually ceased to serve its original purpose, its maintenance continued until 1945. After World War II, he was distracted and gradually disintegrated. It was almost destroyed in the early 1990s. The current reconstruction in 1995- 2001 led to the reconstruction of this historic building. The project was based on archival documentation from 1929 and was associated with a change in relation to the landscape - not only the restaurant, but also environmental protection.

Today, the moat is accessible by walking a 11,5 kilometer long educational path with 23 information boards. The trail starts about 1.5 kilometres west of God's Dar and is connected to the teaching trail of the Wolf Pit above the Upper Blatna. The reader here sees a link between the industrial past of Hornatina and the current relationship to nature.