| Revision as of 14:37, 19 September 2004 editWikimol (talk | contribs)1,268 edits contents aded, stub removed, possible English improvement welcome← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 05:42, 1 December 2024 edit undoLumidek (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users3,445 edits →Regions and towns in the Bohemian Forest: Waldviertel erased, this is in Lower Austria i.e. Austrian side of mostly Moravia, far from Sumava! | ||
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| {{Short description|Low mountain range in Central Europe}} | |||
| The '''Šumava''' is a low ] in ]. Geographicaly the same mountains extend from ] to ], creating natural border between the ] and ]. For historical reasons, Bohemian and German side have different names - Czech part is called ''Šumava'' in ] and ''Bohmerwald'' in ] (literaly: ]). German side is called ''Bayerischer Wald'' in German (literaly: Bavarian Forest) and ''Bavorský les'' in Czech. ''Šumava'' is also used as a name for whole adjacent region in ]. This article deals with Czech side of ''Šumava'', for Bavarian part see ]. | |||
| {{For|the wooded low-mountain region in Bavaria|Bavarian Forest}} | |||
| {{Distinguish|Upper Palatine Forest{{!}}Český les}} | |||
| {{Infobox mountain | |||
| ==Geography and climate== | |||
| | map_image = Topo boehmerwald engleder.jpg | |||
| | map_caption = Topography of the Bohemian Forest | |||
| | photo = Grosser-Arber-002.jpg | |||
| | photo_caption = Großer Arber (Velký Javor) | |||
| | native_name = {{native name list |tag1=de|name1=Böhmerwald |tag2=cs|name2=Šumava }} | |||
| | country = {{hlist|]|]|]}} | |||
| | parent = | |||
| | geology = | |||
| | area_km2 = | |||
| | orogeny = | |||
| | highest = ] | |||
| | elevation = {{Höhe|1456|DE-NN}} | |||
| | coordinates = | |||
| | length_km = 100 | |||
| | range_coordinates = {{Coord|49.1125|N|13.1359|E|region:DE_type:mountain|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | |||
| }} | |||
| The '''Bohemian Forest''', known in ] as '''{{Lang|cs|Šumava|italic=no}}''' ({{IPA|cs|ˈʃumava|pron|Cs-Sumava.ogg}}) and in ] as '''{{Lang|de|Böhmerwald|italic=no}}''', is a low ] in ]. Geographically, the mountains extend from ] and the ] in the ] to ] and ] in ], and form the highest ]s of the ], up to 50 km wide. They create a ] between the Czech Republic on one side and Austria and Germany on the other. | |||
| ''Šumava'' are heavily forested mountains with average heights 800-1400m, highest mountain ''Großer Arber'' - 1456 m on Bavarian side and ''Plechý'' - 1378 m on Czech side. As one of the oldest mountains in Europe, hills are eroded to round forms with few rocky parts. Hilltops are covered by forest. Typical for Šumava are plateaus at about 1000-1200m with relatively harsh climate and many ]s. ''Jezerní slať'' (literaly: ''Lake moor'') is place with lowest average and absolute temperature in Bohemia, with 2°C annual average and -42°C (1987) record. | |||
| ==Names and etymology== | |||
| ==Water== | |||
| For political reasons, the Bohemian and German sides have different names in their languages: in ], the Bohemian side is called {{Lang|cs|Šumava}} and the Bavarian side {{Lang|cs|Zadní Bavorský les}} 'Rear Bavarian Forest', while in ], the Bohemian side is called {{Lang|de|Böhmerwald}} 'Bohemian Forest', and the Bavarian side {{Lang|de|Bayerischer Wald}} 'Bavarian Forest'.<ref name="zemesveta">{{cite web |date=2005 |title=Šumava |url=https://zemesveta.cz/produkt/sumava/ |access-date=2020-08-22 |publisher=Země světa |language=cs}}</ref> | |||
| In Czech, {{Lang|cs|Šumava}} is also used as a name for the entire region in Bohemia and Germany. | |||
| Šumava is the ] between watersheds of the ] and the ], where water collected by ], ] and ] flows. Mentioned rivers also spring from Šumava. With heavy precipitation (mostly snow), forests, peat bogs and ] water dam, area of Šumava is important water reservoir in ]. More important for aesthetic value than for holded water are several ]. | |||
| The designation ''{{Lang|cs|Šumava}}'' has been attested in the late 15th century in ]'s work {{Lang|la|Rerum unganicarum decades}}. ] connects the name's origin with the Czech words {{Lang|cs|šum}}, {{Lang|cs|šumění}} (literally 'hum, humming') denoting the noise of trees in the wind. The most accepted opinion among linguists derives {{Lang|cs|Šumava}} from a theorized ] word {{Lang|sla-x-proto|šuma}} 'dense forest', cf. ] {{Lang|sr-latn|šuma}} as it adjoins regions populated by ] of Lusatia and surrounds (North Eastern Bavaria and Saxony).<ref name=zemesveta/> There are corresponding toponyms in modern-day Serbia i.e. {{Lang|sr-latn|Šumadija}} 'land of dense forests'. | |||
| ==Nature and history== | |||
| Modern Serbian maintains the use of the word {{Lang|sr-latn|šuma}} 'forest' and the toponym {{Lang|sr-latn|Šumava}} equates to 'forested lands'. {{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} | |||
| In the ancient maps of astronomer and geographer ], the mountain chain is called ]. In the maps of Greek geographer ] the mountain chain is called ]. Both names given to the mountain chain are of Celtic etymology. | |||
| As border mountains Šumava has complicated history, which in 20th century finally led to complete removal of settlement from large near-border areas (Šumava was part of the ]). Even before that, settlement was sparse and for centuries forests clearly dominated over human dwellings and pathways. These unique circumstances led to preservation of unspoiled nature and some forest ecosystems relatively unaffected by human activity. On the other side, many flora ]s depending on farming activity are slowly turning into forrest. | |||
| ==Geography== | |||
| The most valuable area is protected in '''Šumava National Park and Protected Landscape''' and ] ]. (German part is protected as ]) However, park administration is not allways successful in its tak, and many believe due to rapidly growing number accomodation and tourists services, former calm of Šumava nature is slowly passing by. ''NP Šumava '' is also suffering various problems connected with ] and controversy on way to deal with it. | |||
| The Bohemian Forest comprises heavily forested mountains with average heights of 800–1,400 metres. The highest peak is ] (1,456 m) on the Bavarian side; the highest peak on the Bohemian and Austrian side is the ] (Plechý, 1,378 m). The most eastern peak is the ] (1,125 m). The range is one of the oldest in Europe, and its mountains are eroded into round forms with few rocky parts. Typical for the Bohemian Forest are plateaux at about 1,000–1,200 m with relatively harsh climates and many ]s. | |||
| ===Water=== | |||
| ''Šumava'' is popular holiday destination because it is excellent ] country. Most interesting natural and cultural sights are connected with more than 500 km of summer marked trails and many bike trails. | |||
| ]]] | |||
| The Bohemian Forest is the ] between the watersheds of the ] and the ], where water collected by the ], ] and ] rivers flows. These rivers all spring from the Bohemian Forest. Owing to heavy precipitation (mostly snow), the peat bogs and the ], the Šumava region is an important water ] for ]. More important for their aesthetic value than for holding water are several ]. | |||
| == |
==Nature== | ||
| ] | |||
| '''Towns of Šumava region''' | |||
| {{Unreferenced section|date=February 2024}} | |||
| *] (CZ) | |||
| As a border region, the Bohemian Forest has had a complicated history. In the 20th century it was part of the ], and large areas were stripped of human settlement. Even before that, settlement was sparse and for centuries forests dominated over human dwellings and pathways. These unique circumstances led to the preservation of unspoilt nature and forest ]s relatively unaffected by human activity. On the other hand, many ] dependent on farming activity are slowly turning into forest. | |||
| In the ], the most valuable area is protected in the ] and the ] ]. Part of the German section is protected as the ]. The Bohemian Forest is a popular holiday destination because it is excellent ] country. Most interesting natural and cultural sights are connected with more than 500 km of summer marked trails and many bike trails. However, park administration is not always successful in its task, and many believe the rapid growth of tourist accommodation and services is destroying the former calm of the Šumava region. Šumava National Park is also suffering from problems connected with ]s, and there is heated debate about how to deal with them. | |||
| ==History== | |||
| ] | |||
| According to archaeological findings, the Bohemian Forest area was not significantly populated during the Paleolithic era – the Stone Age (dates back to 9000 BC). The initial settlements of a more permanent character appeared in the southwest of Bohemia during the Bronze Age (3,000 to 1,000 years BC). In the 1st century AD, the forest was inhabited by Gallo-Romans as well as by Germanic tribes in its northern part.<ref name=bf>{{cite web |title=Bohemian Forest|url=http://dbrockway.weebly.com/|access-date=2021-08-25}}</ref> | |||
| The ] were however gradually forced out by the Germanic tribe (the ]), who left the Celtic agricultural settlements desolated. With the departure of the Marcomanni, the forests were left to evolve with almost no human influence. The Bohemian Forest forests began to change character only with the arrival of the ] in the 6th century, who found a refuge in the middle of the impenetrable forests. The cultural landscape began to penetrate the wooded surroundings. The gradual but disorganized and fairly subtle form of colonisation continued until the late 11th century. Slavic settlement gradually shifted south, without however reaching the upper ] valley. Slavic-founded settlements carried the names of Christian Saints, which indicates that the founding was after the ]. Some toponyms indicate that the new Slavic settlers came in contact with remaining Germanic people.<ref name="Erich Hans">{{cite book|language=de|title=Der Böhmerwald|author=Erich Hans|pages=24–29}}</ref> | |||
| Under the rule of King ], organized colonization of Bohemian Forest by German settlers began. Bavarian settlers after various wars{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} with Serbs (modern Serbs/Sorbs) for domination over the region, cleared the forest and founded settlements in the to date largely uninhabited mountainous region, which thereby became culturally close to ]. Since then the nature in Bohemian Forest, including the forested landscape developed under the strong influence of human activity. The borderline virgin forests receded, making way for fields and pastures, and thus in the 13th century, the colonisation of the Bohemian borderland began.<ref name=bf/> | |||
| In the area, 136 villages with German names relating to forest clearing ({{Lang|de|Rodungsnamen}}) existed. In addition, groups of German village names appear, one such group between ] (first mentioned in 1279) and ] (1261), another group around ] (1356). South of ], German villages form a line along the road from ] through ] to ]. Another old settlement area was between Untermoldau (1376, today: Dolní Vltavice) and ] (1359).<ref name ="Erich Hans"/> | |||
| In 1945–1946, the region's ] were ]. The originally Sorbian population moved to adjoining places which to this day testify to their origins in places throughout North Bohemia i.e Srbská Kamenice. {{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} | |||
| ==Regions and towns in the Bohemian Forest== | |||
| {{col-begin}} | |||
| {{col-2}} | |||
| ;Towns | |||
| *] (DE) | |||
| *] (CZ) | |||
| *] (CZ) | |||
| *] (DE) | |||
| *] (CZ) | |||
| *] (CZ) | |||
| *] (CZ) | *] (CZ) | ||
| *] (CZ) |
*] (CZ) | ||
| *] (CZ) |
*] (CZ) | ||
| *] (DE) | |||
| *] (CZ) | |||
| {{col-2-of-2}} | |||
| *] (CZ) | |||
| ;Regions | |||
| *] (CZ) ''Eisenstein'' | |||
| *] (DE) | |||
| *] (DE) ''Bavorská Železná ruda'' | |||
| *] ( |
*] (AT) | ||
| *] (CZ) | |||
| '''Regions'''<br> | |||
| *] (CZ) | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | *] (DE) | ||
| {{col-end}} | |||
| ==Notable people== | |||
| * ], author | |||
| * ], author | |||
| ==Gallery== | |||
| <gallery> | |||
| Ski-Šumava.JPG|Czech Ski Resort in Šumava | |||
| Severní strana hradu Kašperk při pohledu ze Sedla.jpg|] | |||
| </gallery> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| {{Commons category|Šumava|Bohemian Forest}} | |||
| {{Wikivoyage|Sumava}} | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| {{Mountain ranges of the Czech Republic}} | |||
| {{German Central Uplands}} | |||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 05:42, 1 December 2024
Low mountain range in Central Europe For the wooded low-mountain region in Bavaria, see Bavarian Forest. Not to be confused with Český les.| Bohemian Forest | |
|---|---|
 Großer Arber (Velký Javor) | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Großer Arber |
| Elevation | 1,456 m above NN |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 100 km (62 mi) |
| Naming | |
| Native name | |
| Geography | |
 Topography of the Bohemian Forest | |
| Countries | |
| Range coordinates | 49°06′45″N 13°08′09″E / 49.1125°N 13.1359°E / 49.1125; 13.1359 |
The Bohemian Forest, known in Czech as Šumava (pronounced [ˈʃumava] ) and in German as Böhmerwald, is a low mountain range in Central Europe. Geographically, the mountains extend from Plzeň Region and the South Bohemian Region in the Czech Republic to Austria and Bavaria in Germany, and form the highest truncated uplands of the Bohemian Massif, up to 50 km wide. They create a natural border between the Czech Republic on one side and Austria and Germany on the other.
Names and etymology
For political reasons, the Bohemian and German sides have different names in their languages: in Czech, the Bohemian side is called Šumava and the Bavarian side Zadní Bavorský les 'Rear Bavarian Forest', while in German, the Bohemian side is called Böhmerwald 'Bohemian Forest', and the Bavarian side Bayerischer Wald 'Bavarian Forest'.
In Czech, Šumava is also used as a name for the entire region in Bohemia and Germany.
The designation Šumava has been attested in the late 15th century in Antonio Bonfini's work Rerum unganicarum decades. Folk etymology connects the name's origin with the Czech words šum, šumění (literally 'hum, humming') denoting the noise of trees in the wind. The most accepted opinion among linguists derives Šumava from a theorized Proto-Slavic word *šuma 'dense forest', cf. Serbian šuma as it adjoins regions populated by Sorbs of Lusatia and surrounds (North Eastern Bavaria and Saxony). There are corresponding toponyms in modern-day Serbia i.e. Šumadija 'land of dense forests'. Modern Serbian maintains the use of the word šuma 'forest' and the toponym Šumava equates to 'forested lands'.
In the ancient maps of astronomer and geographer Ptolemy, the mountain chain is called Gabreta. In the maps of Greek geographer Strabo the mountain chain is called Sudeta. Both names given to the mountain chain are of Celtic etymology.
Geography
The Bohemian Forest comprises heavily forested mountains with average heights of 800–1,400 metres. The highest peak is Großer Arber (1,456 m) on the Bavarian side; the highest peak on the Bohemian and Austrian side is the Plöckenstein (Plechý, 1,378 m). The most eastern peak is the Sternstein (1,125 m). The range is one of the oldest in Europe, and its mountains are eroded into round forms with few rocky parts. Typical for the Bohemian Forest are plateaux at about 1,000–1,200 m with relatively harsh climates and many peat bogs.
Water
The Bohemian Forest is the dividing range between the watersheds of the Black Sea and the North Sea, where water collected by the Vltava, Otava and Úhlava rivers flows. These rivers all spring from the Bohemian Forest. Owing to heavy precipitation (mostly snow), the peat bogs and the Lipno Reservoir, the Šumava region is an important water reservoir for Central Europe. More important for their aesthetic value than for holding water are several lakes of glacial origin.
Nature
 | This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
As a border region, the Bohemian Forest has had a complicated history. In the 20th century it was part of the Iron Curtain, and large areas were stripped of human settlement. Even before that, settlement was sparse and for centuries forests dominated over human dwellings and pathways. These unique circumstances led to the preservation of unspoilt nature and forest ecosystems relatively unaffected by human activity. On the other hand, many habitats dependent on farming activity are slowly turning into forest.
In the Czech Republic, the most valuable area is protected in the Šumava National Park and Protected Landscape and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Part of the German section is protected as the Bavarian Forest National Park. The Bohemian Forest is a popular holiday destination because it is excellent hiking country. Most interesting natural and cultural sights are connected with more than 500 km of summer marked trails and many bike trails. However, park administration is not always successful in its task, and many believe the rapid growth of tourist accommodation and services is destroying the former calm of the Šumava region. Šumava National Park is also suffering from problems connected with bark beetles, and there is heated debate about how to deal with them.
History
According to archaeological findings, the Bohemian Forest area was not significantly populated during the Paleolithic era – the Stone Age (dates back to 9000 BC). The initial settlements of a more permanent character appeared in the southwest of Bohemia during the Bronze Age (3,000 to 1,000 years BC). In the 1st century AD, the forest was inhabited by Gallo-Romans as well as by Germanic tribes in its northern part.
The Celts were however gradually forced out by the Germanic tribe (the Marcomanni), who left the Celtic agricultural settlements desolated. With the departure of the Marcomanni, the forests were left to evolve with almost no human influence. The Bohemian Forest forests began to change character only with the arrival of the Slavs in the 6th century, who found a refuge in the middle of the impenetrable forests. The cultural landscape began to penetrate the wooded surroundings. The gradual but disorganized and fairly subtle form of colonisation continued until the late 11th century. Slavic settlement gradually shifted south, without however reaching the upper Vltava valley. Slavic-founded settlements carried the names of Christian Saints, which indicates that the founding was after the Christianization of Bohemia. Some toponyms indicate that the new Slavic settlers came in contact with remaining Germanic people.
Under the rule of King Ottokar I, organized colonization of Bohemian Forest by German settlers began. Bavarian settlers after various wars with Serbs (modern Serbs/Sorbs) for domination over the region, cleared the forest and founded settlements in the to date largely uninhabited mountainous region, which thereby became culturally close to Bavaria. Since then the nature in Bohemian Forest, including the forested landscape developed under the strong influence of human activity. The borderline virgin forests receded, making way for fields and pastures, and thus in the 13th century, the colonisation of the Bohemian borderland began.
In the area, 136 villages with German names relating to forest clearing (Rodungsnamen) existed. In addition, groups of German village names appear, one such group between Sonnberg (first mentioned in 1279) and Deutsch Reichenau (1261), another group around Zettwing (1356). South of Ottau, German villages form a line along the road from Linz through Hohenfurth to Krummau. Another old settlement area was between Untermoldau (1376, today: Dolní Vltavice) and Obermoldau (1359).
In 1945–1946, the region's Bohemian Germans were expelled. The originally Sorbian population moved to adjoining places which to this day testify to their origins in places throughout North Bohemia i.e Srbská Kamenice.
Regions and towns in the Bohemian Forest
|
|
Notable people
- Karel Klostermann, author
- Adalbert Stifter, author
Gallery
-
Czech Ski Resort in Šumava
-
Kašperk Castle
References
- ^ "Šumava" (in Czech). Země světa. 2005. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Bohemian Forest". Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- ^ Erich Hans. Der Böhmerwald (in German). pp. 24–29.
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