The first historical mention of Prague. Was it written in Hostivař?
“The city of Frága is built of stone and lime and is the largest city in terms of trade. Russians and Slavs come here from the town of Kráková with goods. And from the Turks Muslims also carry goods and trade coins. They export slaves, tin and various furs from them. Saddles, bridles and thick shields are made in the town of Frázwhich is used in these countries, “quotes historian Josef Janáček in the book Little History of Prague from a report written by a well-traveled merchant in the 10th century.
At the rapids of Botič
It is understood that the report was made after Ibrahim’s visit to Prague. Probably on the way out of it. According to long-time chronicler and regional historian Jiří Barton, there are speculations that this may happen on the territory of today’s Hostivař. “Perhaps he really stood on the shores of Botič even the wise Abraham, the son of James, who visited Prague during the time of Prince Boleslav II, ”states in the publication Prague 15 introduces himself.
And why couldn’t he? In the Middle Ages, it led along Botič important trade route. “It was a so-called the Prague princely country road from Vyšehrad through Strašnice, which copied the Botič river, ”States Petr Říha in the book Petrovice – 770 years: History, present and future of the Prague – Petrovice district. On the trade route led through Pitkovice and Mnichovice to Benešov and then to Linz, Austria. No, it was not a footpath, but a relatively wide road, already had to be the most rushed a significant number of cattlewhich ended where else but at the Cattle Market, “says Říha.
Quite possibly – it is theory – Ibrahim ibn Jakúb also traveled this path, entering history with his travelogues. It wasn’t just about Prague. The buyer also visited Prague outside Spain and other European countries that noted in their minutes. In the case of Prague it is about the first ever historically documented mention of our capital.
Hostivař dam in period photography.
Author: Hostivař dam
The bottom of the tank
Although Hostivař became part of the capital “only” in 1922, the history of the capital began to be written a thousand years earlier on its territory. And the settlement of Hostivař is even older. “Hradiště Šance nad Botičí was inhabited by people thousands of years ago. The fort was surrounded by ramparts several centuries BC and became one of the first settlements of our Slavic ancestors”Says Bartoň.
Josef Janáček gives him the truth – in the 7th and 8th centuries “there were five fortifications in Prague (Zámka, Podhoří, Hostivař, Butovice and Šárka). ”In Hostivař, it used to be a traveler to provide a certain refuge protection against possible villains, bellows (hence the name of nearby Měcholupy).
It may or may not be a legend that Ibrahim ibn Jakúb was to camp under the fortified settlement, which was supposed to stand on the ridge of the local hill. According to Jiří Barton, it is possible that he should have dictated his famous sentences about Prague.
“He called his two scribes. He was a careful observer and excellent writer and carefully recorded his findings, ”Says Bartoň. “His voice came over Botič’s flow: The city of Prague is built of stone and lime and its marketplace is the liveliest marketplace by far… “Were these really dictated by the Botič river in Hostivař? Who knows. But if it really is “the place where the merchants were said to be camping at the time disappeared below the surface of the reservoir”Says Bartoň.
The largest in Prague
Hostivař Reservoir is currently the largest water area in Prague. Although in the past there were many more ponds than there are today. “The first ponds were built in Botič and other streams, near the banks, in the Middle Ages.. When it became economically advantageous to grow a large number of fish, it was established at the beginning of the 16th century beyond the eastern borders of the region, around Dubč, large pond complex. He reached the territory of Měcholup, “says Bartoň.
“It simply came to our notice then large oak and hornbeam forests, in the floodplains there are wet meadows, alders and sometimes hard-to-reach swamps, “continues the chronicler. While the ponds flooded time (and soil), the Botič river has been preserved, and it is in the territory of Hostivař, if we omit the reservoir, that it is located before and after it. one of its most beautiful stretcheswhen the meander is led from Křeslice via Petrovice and Hostivař further to Záběhlice.
Hostivař dam in early June. (2017) Denisa Cingelová
July in Hostivař
Author: Denisa Cingelová