2 – The Losenice system
Continuous unbroken remains of the Golden Trail are called systems. The trails of the Losenice system began to appear in the first half of the 15th century. The original course turned towards the village Červená between Zhůří and Kozí Hřbety and never reached this place.
Parts of the Losenice system, with their switching left and right turns of two parallel trails, belong to the most impressive remains of the Golden Trail on Bohemian lands. In this area, the Trail climbed from the Losenice valley to 700 meters and in a long southward curve it began to line up its direction with the massive mountain ridge rising from Rejštejn to Zhůří. The width of the path is š meters on the ground and almost 8 between the tops of embankments, which are 5 meters high.
The paths of the system used to pass through land with high concentration of expensive metal mines. As such they were no doubt used not only to transport salt but also for connecting mines and exporting their yield.
Parts of the Losenice system, with their switching left and right turns of two parallel trails, belong to the most impressive remains of the Golden Trail on Bohemian lands. In this area, the Trail climbed from the Losenice valley to 700 meters and in a long southward curve it began to line up its direction with the massive mountain ridge rising from Rejštejn to Zhůří. The width of the path is š meters on the ground and almost 8 between the tops of embankments, which are 5 meters high.
The paths of the system used to pass through land with high concentration of expensive metal mines. As such they were no doubt used not only to transport salt but also for connecting mines and exporting their yield.
The Losenice system of the Kašperské Hory Golden Trail, current state
Area, nature, personalities, events
The trade on the Golden Road was mostly conducted by farmers who would make additional income this way. From the mid-16th century, first reports appear of frauds committed by those traders. To avoid paying the ungelt and fees connected with staying overnight in Kašperské Hory, they turned towards Rejštejn just after passing Kozí Hřbety and then alongside Otava towards Sušice, where they sold the salt and took on other goods to take back. One of these turns to this so-called forbidden road was in the upper section of the Losenice system.
The trade on the Golden Road was mostly conducted by farmers who would make additional income this way. From the mid-16th century, first reports appear of frauds committed by those traders. To avoid paying the ungelt and fees connected with staying overnight in Kašperské Hory, they turned towards Rejštejn just after passing Kozí Hřbety and then alongside Otava towards Sušice, where they sold the salt and took on other goods to take back. One of these turns to this so-called forbidden road was in the upper section of the Losenice system.
Depiction of a trade caravan, author J. Koch, 1689
After the end of the Golden Trail and the Golden Road
In 2001 and 2002, the system was measured, photo documented, and searched with a metal detector. The result was a significant amount of metal pieces (42 in total) of various ages, ranging from a piece from a uniform of a SS soldier from the end of WWII to the common findings of medieval horseshoes. The system as a whole can be dated to early modern history, though there are also some indications pointing to the late Middle Ages.
In 2001 and 2002, the system was measured, photo documented, and searched with a metal detector. The result was a significant amount of metal pieces (42 in total) of various ages, ranging from a piece from a uniform of a SS soldier from the end of WWII to the common findings of medieval horseshoes. The system as a whole can be dated to early modern history, though there are also some indications pointing to the late Middle Ages.