HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE
Originally, Rejštejn formed a single town with Kašperské Hory, which held its own seal and coat of arms in the pre-Hussite times already. Both quarters of this significant municipal locality were mentioned in written in 1337. Rejštejn owes its origins to the success of gold panning and gold mining in the area. The locality gradually increased its relative independence and finally became completely independent in 1584, when Rudolph II promoted Rejštejn to the royal mining town and gave it the same rights as had Kašperské Hory of the period.
Dolní Rejštejn also received the right to use the original seal and coat of arms (formerly applicable for both towns). The coat of arms depicting characteristic profession of the locals is formed by a red shield in the centre of which there is an outstretched miner's arm in the black sleeve, holding a golden handle with a silver hammer. Two other silver mining hammers with golden handles are on the sides.
Decline of mining in the 17th century and following exit of miners resulted in the stagnation. There are nevertheless still perceivable reminders of mining - the hillocks called "sejpy" and sporadic findings of milling stones from gold ore mills. Foundation of glass-works and exploitation of the richness of surrounding forests brought certain revival to the town. The development was also supported by confirmation of the privileges and by awarding of further market rights in the period of Joseph II and Franz II.
A particularly important chapter in the history of the town was the existence of the world-famous glass-works in Klášterský Mlýn. The original glass-works was established in 1836 already by Jan Eisner, the son of a master of glass-works in Vogelsang. At first, fine glass pearls were manufactured here, which was later changed to the production of plate glass. After Eisner the management was taken over by Jan Lötz. At that time the glass-works won fame thanks to the production of crystal glass. The Art Nouveau glass of "Lötz" company of Klášterský Mlýn achieved the peak of its production and the company was awarded the best appreciation at the majority of the World Exhibitions (of the 18th and 19th centuries) of the period. The glassware was exported to almost all continents. The glass-works was destroyed by fire several times but it was always rebuilt and modernized. Until 1908, the glass-works was owned by Max Ritter von Spaun. By that time the company earned the worldwide fame and primacy not only in Bohemia but in the whole of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Its speciality was the famous "iris papilon"(butterfly iris) glass. The luxury glass was continuously improved by colour fibres, decorated pastes and plastic decorations. Today we can see the products of the glass-works Klášterský Mlýn by Rejštejn at the Museum of Kašperské Hory. Later on, the glass-works had troubles with competing to other big enterprises. The economic crises and the World Wars terminated its existence in 1947.
The writer Karel Klostermann was often visiting Rejštejn. The plots of some of his novels and stories are set to the town. Besides the glass-works, the locals frequently worked for living at the nearby factory of Franz Watzlavick manufacturing baby prams (today it is one of the plants of Mr. Šustr's enterprise). Work in the forests and timber processing has been employment of a large part of local citizens up to date.
Thanks to its perfect location in the Šumava, Rejštejn has a prospective to become a significant centre of recreation and tourism.
Dolní Rejštejn also received the right to use the original seal and coat of arms (formerly applicable for both towns). The coat of arms depicting characteristic profession of the locals is formed by a red shield in the centre of which there is an outstretched miner's arm in the black sleeve, holding a golden handle with a silver hammer. Two other silver mining hammers with golden handles are on the sides.
Decline of mining in the 17th century and following exit of miners resulted in the stagnation. There are nevertheless still perceivable reminders of mining - the hillocks called "sejpy" and sporadic findings of milling stones from gold ore mills. Foundation of glass-works and exploitation of the richness of surrounding forests brought certain revival to the town. The development was also supported by confirmation of the privileges and by awarding of further market rights in the period of Joseph II and Franz II.
A particularly important chapter in the history of the town was the existence of the world-famous glass-works in Klášterský Mlýn. The original glass-works was established in 1836 already by Jan Eisner, the son of a master of glass-works in Vogelsang. At first, fine glass pearls were manufactured here, which was later changed to the production of plate glass. After Eisner the management was taken over by Jan Lötz. At that time the glass-works won fame thanks to the production of crystal glass. The Art Nouveau glass of "Lötz" company of Klášterský Mlýn achieved the peak of its production and the company was awarded the best appreciation at the majority of the World Exhibitions (of the 18th and 19th centuries) of the period. The glassware was exported to almost all continents. The glass-works was destroyed by fire several times but it was always rebuilt and modernized. Until 1908, the glass-works was owned by Max Ritter von Spaun. By that time the company earned the worldwide fame and primacy not only in Bohemia but in the whole of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Its speciality was the famous "iris papilon"(butterfly iris) glass. The luxury glass was continuously improved by colour fibres, decorated pastes and plastic decorations. Today we can see the products of the glass-works Klášterský Mlýn by Rejštejn at the Museum of Kašperské Hory. Later on, the glass-works had troubles with competing to other big enterprises. The economic crises and the World Wars terminated its existence in 1947.
The writer Karel Klostermann was often visiting Rejštejn. The plots of some of his novels and stories are set to the town. Besides the glass-works, the locals frequently worked for living at the nearby factory of Franz Watzlavick manufacturing baby prams (today it is one of the plants of Mr. Šustr's enterprise). Work in the forests and timber processing has been employment of a large part of local citizens up to date.
Thanks to its perfect location in the Šumava, Rejštejn has a prospective to become a significant centre of recreation and tourism.