Trebon - Plague column, fisheries, Renaissance Mayor Krcin

Trebon is one of three towns - easy to see in one day, but difficult to keep straight unless you keep notes: Trebon, Trebic, and Telc.

Think Trebon-fish, Trebic-Jewish-Quarter, and Telc-picture-postcard-pretty. But they all are pretty, so keep those notes. And use this website to remind yourself and see a map: www.pragueinternational.cz/?page=unesco_mesta. To pronounce "Trebon", scroll to the bottom of this site: hoary.org/snaps/czech/trebon.html.

In the center of the square at Trebon is a "Marian Column," or "Plague Column," as is found in so many other towns in Eastern Europe.

For an overview of the impact of centuries of plague and other epidemics, and an idea why people built these icons for thanks for deliverance and/or protection against onslaughts, go to www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/myadel/Pandemics.htm. Wikipedia is good for getting a grounding in concepts such as these. Go to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marian_and_Holy_Trinity_columns. At first you may think them mere fountains, and pass by. So get your information in advance so you don't miss them.

Here is the view of the old walls of Trebon, facing a large fisheries area.




This is Jakub Krcin, a truly Renaissance man who was regent in the area, and spearheaded the creation of the great fishponds that brought great economic prosperity here. Read about his wild but wily ways at www.trebon-mesto.cz/index.php?l=en&p=30&r=75

And the great gate with the carving-insignia at the top.


Here is the insignia - a splendid fisherman. www.zamky-hrady.cz/1/trebon-e.htm.
















The ancient fishery industry, with pools that became ponds and then fish farms through the centuries, became a mainstay during the soviet era -- see the soviet-era worker image now above the main fish market.

We prefer the colorful fellow above the gate. At least the fish herself in the soviet version retains the higher position.




See the history of Trebon at www.trebon-mesto.cz/index.php?l=en.