Dlouhá strouha Water channel

Welcome to one of the most interesting waterworks in our region. You are standing in front of the Long Crouch, which stretches before you like silver thread in the landscape of the village Kvasiny. At first glance, it may seem to be just a simple water stream, but in fact, you will look at the fascinating work of human hands that carries hundreds of years of history. Stop for a moment, take a deep breath of fresh air and feel the calm surrounding this place. Imagine how the sky has been reflected in these waters for centuries, and how this grate formed the life artery of the entire area.

Let us now move far further back in time, to the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. It was at this time, when major economic projects began to develop in our countries, that eight kilometres of construction was created. It wasn't a coincidence, it was a carefully thought-out plan. At that time, there were people in our areas who understood how to manage water and ponds. It is assumed that the whole building was carried out under the leadership of pond experts, specifically under the hands of masters of the House of Pernštejn. These people were basically pioneers in water engineering at the time. Their aim was to control the natural flows of water and use them for their needs, which at that time meant mainly fish farming and machinery propulsion.

Now, if you look at the grate itself, notice its course and linearity. It's an artificial channel, which means its path wasn't random, but it was carved and dug so that the water flows effectively from one point to another. The water in it comes from the river Belé here in Kvasiny and is headed towards the system of Černíkovických ponds. Feel how the water slowly but persistently travels through the countryside. Notice how this channel naturally became involved in the surrounding nature, even though it is a product of human labor. Although we do not see complex machines today, the very existence of this trough is indicative of the enormous efforts of hundreds of workers who, in a time without modern technology, were digging in the ground to ensure water supply to lower positions.

Now pay attention to what this grate has served in the past. It wasn't just landscape decoration, it was a highly functional system. Its main task was to power the surrounding ponds, which at that time was crucial for the prosperity of the entire region. Fishing was very profitable in the period around a thousand five hundred and required precise water management. But the trench function didn't end there. The water flowed in it to the great Chernikovic Mill, where its power was driven by the mill wheel. Imagine the noise, the splash of water, and the smell of ground grain that was lying around in space.

Interestingly, the water was not used only at the bottom of the mill. If you think about the upper part of the crest, you'll see that there were different factories in the past. Water was the most efficient source of energy at the time. Instead of electricity or steam, the flowing water was driven by the wheels of various workshops and manufactures. This made Kvasin and the surrounding area an industrial center of its kind at that time, where nature joined with human ingenious confidence. It is fascinating to think that this simple channel was essentially a medieval engine that powered the local economy and created jobs for people from surrounding villages.

Where's the secret in this story? It is precisely how the grate was built. Eight kilometers is a huge distance on the scale of that time. Imagine the calculations that the experts had to do to make the water flow right and not lose its power, but at the same time not to cause damage to the landscape. Even though we don't know the names of any particular architects or builders, their tracks are coming today. It's a silent monument to human endurance and intelligence. The mystery remains how many other small workshops and forgotten water wheels once stood along this road, and today they are only a memory in historical records.

When you look at the Long Gutter today, you see more than just water in the trough. You see the ambition of the Pernstejn people, you see the history of the pond and you hear the echoes of the old mills. It's a place where technology and nature connect in total harmony. This construction teaches us that nature can be collaborated to serve people without being completely destroyed.

We now invite you to move on and explore the surroundings of this unique water work. Take a walk along the shore, listen to the noise of the water and explore how the grate flows along the landscape towards Chernikovic ponds. You may discover other details in it that tell you stories about people who worked here five years ago. We hope this short trip to history has helped you better understand the meaning of the Long Crouch. We wish you a pleasant continued walk and enjoy the peace and beauty of this historic corner of our countryside. Goodbye.