POTENTIAL OF WATER MANAGEMENT FACILITIES IN THE HODONÍN DISTRICT FOR TOURISM

Abstract

In the past, water management facilities were of fundamental importance in the development of industry, transport, and agriculture. Since 1990, there has started a trend to use them in the development of travel and tourism. This survey used old topographic maps from the years 1763-1768, 1836-1852, 1953-1956, current maps and additional database resources from the site www.vodnimlyny.cz. Based on the survey, there were found more than 200 water management facilities in the district of Hodonín in the period from the middle of the 18th to the middle of the 20th century. Water mills and pole wells were the most represented, which indicates the predominant agricultural production with a long tradition in this area. There were also registered numerous ponds for fish production here. In the first half of the 20th century, construction of the Baťa canal facilitated the transport of coal to industrial plants. This waterway nowadays serves as a tourist attraction number one with the possibility of sightseeing cruises and boat rentals. Another example of the use of the potential of the original WMF is the reconstruction of old watermills to expand the offer of accommodation. An original old watermill and sawmill can be seen in the Strážnice Museum of the Villages of South-east Moravia. However, there are further possibilities how to use historical potential of ex WMF in the district of Hodonín, e.g., a placement of new tourist information boards in the vicinity of tourist routes or a building of new nature trails in places with higher concentration of WMF objects.