Mirkowitz: Gold Traces, Old Farmsteads and Local History

Mirkowitz Among Gold Traces and Old Farmsteads

Mirkowitz combines a clearly defined village structure with traces of medieval gold mining and a history of farmsteads that can be read in specific individual farms. The relatively regular colonial-era settlement layout as a short street village shapes the character of the place. The origins of Mírkovice are believed to date to the second half of the 13th century, around 1300. The villagescape thus combines settlement form, landscape and buildings in a closely connected context.

Gold Mining in the Landscape

The medieval gold-mining area near Mírkovice includes boundary stones with incised crosses that marked individual mining sites. Another striking trace is the wash heap field near Mírkovice. It covers approximately 200 × 200 metres and is the largest in the immediate surrounding area. Its approximately 200 × 200 metre extent represents a different scale from the individual boundary stones: here, the focus is on a continuous field, while there it is on the marking of individual mining sites. Gold-bearing wash heaps are found along the entire course of the Jílecký potok. The stream was formerly referred to as the “golden stream”. The boundary stones, wash heap field and the heaps along the Jílecký potok thus belong to different sites associated with the same historical theme. The local history of Mírkovice therefore includes both the settlement and the traces of former gold mining.

Řehoutovec and the History of the Farmsteads

The oldest farmhouse in Mírkovice is House No. 1, known as Řehoutovec. Řehoutovec includes a preserved barn. Its construction is remarkable and recalls an old fortress. Farmhouse No. 16 also leads into the local history: it formerly included an inn. In 1834, Farmhouse No. 16 was handed over to Anton Soukup, who is described as Egon Schiele’s great-grandfather. For the local history, House No. 1 and Farmhouse No. 16 provide two different points of connection. The first brings together the oldest farmstead, the barn and the construction reminiscent of an old fortress; the second combines the former inn and the transfer in 1834.

A Place with Different Ways to Experience It

In the lower part of Mírkovice, there is a sports field for small-sided football and volleyball, with seating by a fire pit. Alongside the historical themes, this provides a specific place for physical activity and spending time together. Small-sided football and volleyball are possible on the field; the seating by the fire pit complements the sporting use with a place to sit. If you would like to divide your trip to the Czech Republic between local history, traces in the landscape and active recreation, Mirkowitz offers several different points of connection. Depending on your interests, the focus can be on the gold traces, the farmsteads or the sports field. For more destinations to browse, you can also discover Zaltice, Ceske Chalupy, Bessenitz, Borova, Oberhaid, Priethal, Kalsching and Neudorf B. Berlau.

For the overarching travel overview: Okres Český Krumlov.