“How did such a charming village emerge from such turbulent times?” I ask you. This is Chyňava. It is a municipality with a rich history in the Beroun District. Let’s step back in time. We will explore the story of this resilient village.
Chyňava’s first mention dates back to 1341. The village became part of the Karlštejn estate in 1357. It shared owners and destiny with the estate until 1585. Imagine the villagers working the land. They also guarded the royal forests. They produced and transported charcoal to Prague. Life was relatively free. However, they still paid dues to Karlštejn.
The Hussite Wars brought hardship. Chyňava suffered greatly. Its population decreased. The end of the 15th century brought more burdens. People were tied to the land and their lords. Freedom diminished. Disputes were settled locally. Bigger issues went to the town or castle. Many farms were abandoned.
The Thirty Years’ War from 1618 to 1648 was devastating. Imperial troops marched through Central Bohemia. They seized food and livestock. Wooden houses burned easily. Famine and plague further reduced the population. By 1651, only about 27 homesteads were occupied. Around eighty inhabitants remained, mostly aged eleven to sixty. About a third were non-Catholic.
After the wars, efforts to restore Catholicism began. Vacant farms were divided. New farmers bought smaller plots. Shortages and plagues continued. Poverty increased. People became serfs. Their labor and taxes increased. They couldn’t move, marry, or make decisions without their lord’s permission.
From 1585, Chyňava belonged to the Křivoklát estate. Various noble families held it. These families included the Schwarzenbergs, Wallensteins, and Fürstenbergs. Wallenstein’s iron production in nearby Hýskov brought more burdens. Chyňava villagers had to provide ore and wood for free as part of their feudal duties.
The lords increased labor demands. They wanted to maintain their income. Habsburg expenses and wars led to higher taxes on the peasants. Serfdom was abolished by Joseph II. People could move. They could practice trades. They could choose their religion. Social conditions remained difficult. Labor patents regulated the work of serfs until 1848. These patents did not improve their situation much. Larger farms paid higher taxes and performed more labor. Each week, they typically owed three days of work with animals and one or two days of manual labor.
Political changes affected Chyňava’s farmers and woodworkers less than hail, drought, or floods. Still, the village grew. By the mid-19th century, it had 150 houses and nearly 1,200 residents. World War I from 1914 to 1918 brought more hardship. Farmers producing food faced great demands. In 1918, Czechoslovakia was declared. Soldiers returned home to Chyňava. They took over their farms again. It was a time of hope for a new life.
Today, Chyňava stands as a testament to its people’s resilience. Its history is etched into its very foundations. As you wander through Chyňava, remember its story. Think about the struggles and triumphs of those who came before us.