History of the product

Earliest written records on Zaječice municipality date back to 1413. Linguistically, the term Zaječice is derived from “the folks of Zajíc”, meaning “hare” in Czech. More detailed insights and relationships relating the history of the place would be a matter of thorough historic and archaeological surveys. In later years, rich soil would arouse the interest of the Bílina-based earldom of the Lobkowitz dynasty that was the owner of Zaječice and Bečov municipalities right up until the end of World War I. The municipality was nonetheless most likely hit by warfare as early as in the 15th century, and later during the Thirty Years´ War, at which time it is assumed to have been – as many a hamlet in the vicinity – torched, ravaged and restored.

It was however not before the 18th century that a change occurred in the agricultural character of the place. It namely was in the early 18th century that – in the vicinity of Sedlec, the neighbouring hamlet, on the earldom of the Knights of the Cross with red star – a spring of the so-called “bitter water” was discovered by Dr. Bedřich Hoffmann, the renowned physician, balneologist and personal physician of the Prussian monarch. Dr. Hoffmann (1610-1742) was among the first who recognized the healing effects of a variety of mineral waters upon respective diseases, devoting all his life to the search thereof.

His research interest largely covered the Ore Mountain area though not exclusively. Owing a huge debt to Dr. Hoffmann for having made known a host of other excellent mineral springs is count Špork staying at his manor near Kuks, and a number of other major Bohemia springs. Being discovered by Dr. Hoffmann in 1717, “bitter water” was recommended as a suitable remedy to cure intestinal diseases. The then physicians would moreover recommend drinking of the bitter water as a remedy to combat lack of appetite, obesity, stomach and gall diseases, arterial sclerosis, skin diseases, not to mention neurology application. The finding of Dr. Hoffmann was publicized in 1725 in his Der zu Sedlitz in Bőhmen neu endeckte bittere purgierende Brunnen1 tract arousing huge interest with Dr. Hoffmann claiming that the salt obtained from the water through evaporation was tantamount with the bitter salt produced in Epsom (England), that featuring a commodity that was generally known and much sought-after.

The boom in utilization of bitter water springs was disrupted by the Austria-Prussian war resulting in Prussian dominance in Germany. Massive contributions to enemy battalions stationed on the territory of Most region, and the commitment to save assets would distract attention from carrying on any major business activities. However, when in 1770 Matyáš Loos, a native of Zaječice, came across a spring of “bitter water” on his land lot, he started to collect and dispatch it. Within the entire area – the said type of entrepreneurial activities expanded greatly. In the Ore Mountain area, that was the first mining activity realized in the so-called “rustic shafts”. Very soon, Matyáš Loos started to grow rich thanks to his business activities. In late 1780, he ordered a chapel to be built in Zaječice and dedicated it to Ferdinand de Castilia.
The springs of “bitter water” had become a vital facility, with water being typically dispatched in earthen bottles – except for members of the Order of the Cross who would fill bitter water into then rare glass bottles in their Prague-based home monastery. The yields from the springs attracted the interest of the Lobkowitz earldom. As a result, in 1781, a register of wells was created, private wells operated by minor peasants were abolished with only the strongest and richest remaining in earldom administration. Cleaned and replaced was everything assumed to be harmful to the water, particularly affluents of surface waters. Bitter water was then filled in branded stoneware bottles. At that time, there were 23 wells in the vicinity of Zaječice.

In Zaječice neighbourhood, too, interest in the wealth brought by the healing springs was on the rise. In the near-by Korozluky hamlet, purchased by Helle and Mendel, a bitter-water well was dug up. The water was subsequently collected and dispatched. In that way, the value of both the land lots and of the yard got increased. Bitter water was moreover collected in Rudolice near Most, in Gut Kahn homestead. Concurrently, written tracts promoting the water would be published in the homestead between 1826 and World War I.

From the existing well-preserved posh homesteads built in Zaječice it is obvious that the hamlet managed to create its own spa resort character. As proof, homesteads No. 12, 10, 14, 1 and 4, may serve. Oddly, in mid-19th century, in some of the homesteads apartments for wage workers with their families would be built. Later on, concern for Zaječice water was likely taken over by exclusively the Lobkowitz earldom. In order to facilitate exports, the water would be thickened through evaporation and – in concentration – it would make an effective medicine. While in the first half of 19th century, Zaječice region served as Europe´s major supplier of bitter waters, in the second half of 19th century, the said role was taken over by Hungarian bitter waters and by Budapest as the prominent spa resort. From the early 20th century, exports were safeguarded through the Šaratice region in south Moravia.