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A unique type of small religious monuments from the Šluknov countryside (in the Czech Republic

Publication at Faculty of Humanities |
2015

Abstract

Topic of my research deal with the definition of the geographic area of unique small religious monuments, their historical development and their role in terms of sacred landscape. Their area extends beyond the territory that is today called Šluknov Hook. Šluknov Hook is the northernmost region of the Czech Republic.

In the second half of the 18th century and early 19th century they were the most common type of wayside cross. Small sacral monuments respect the diversity of landscape depending on where they are placed; they differ according to the territories, regional customs, available building materials and the social status of the founder and the technological skills of the builders.

To compile the story of small monuments, we must also put them in a historical context. From a cultural perspective, it is interesting to compare perception of landscape memory a palimpsest.

Like a parchment, whose surface is re-inscribed after deletion of the original text - the process repeats. Similarly, new human intervention in the cultural landscape overlaps the old one.

Memory landscapes here are ensured by the human mind, we can refresh or confront with archival written documents or old maps. Small sacral monuments in the area under consideration form easily readable documents testifying about the importance of historical sites, even those currently no longer settled.