Jakub Krčín

Jakub Krčín of Jelčany (; 18 June 1535 – January or February 1604) was a Czech architect, engineer and manager. He worked for William of Rosenberg for 21 years. He was known for his organisational and economic skills, which made him the administrator of the largest property complex in Bohemia. Today he is best known as the founder of many fishponds in Bohemia, including the largest fishpond in the world, Rožmberk Pond.

Early life and education Jakub Krčín was born on 18 June 1535 to Jířík Krčín of Jelčany and Kateřina of Olbramovice. He was probably born in Kolín, but some sources suggest that he may have been born in Polepy. He had two brothers and two sisters. He possibly attended the University of Prague. In 1556, his father was knighted, which helped Jakub gain a better social status.

Social rise and working for the Rosenberg family In 1556, Krčín entered the service of the nobleman Vilém Trčka of Lípa, and was tasked with looking after his Veliš estate. He was in charge of the overall management, and supervised the fishponds and the meadows. In 1559, he entered the service of the rich and powerful Rosenberg family. He spent at least one year as an official in Borovany, taking care of the local Augustinian monastery's property (located within the estate of the Rosenbergs). From 1561, he worked directly for William of Rosenberg, and this cooperation lasted until 1589. Jakub Krčín was first an assistant of the burgrave, and from 1562 the burgrave at the Český Krumlov Castle.

It soon became clear that Krčín had excellent organisational skills, was a great manager and economic strategist. He understood the importance of the most profitable areas of management, which were agriculture, brewing, and fish farming. He had built new breweries, mills, sheepfolds and fishponds. From 1561 to 1579, Krčín built or extended around 44 water reservoirs. He knew how to measure and build fishponds and bring water into them, which sometimes meant building several kilometres of artificial canals.

Krčín's water structures were monumental and bold, but their construction was expensive and fish production was not high, so today his work is viewed as economically unwise.

In Třeboň, on the dam of Svět Pond, there is a memorial to Jakub Krčín with his statue. A memorial plaque of Jakub Krčín is in Krčínova street in Třeboň.

In 2015, the Krčín Carving event took place in Obděnice. Various wooden sculptures thematically related to Jakub Krčín were created. They were then transported to several locations associated with Krčín's life, including Obděnice, Křepenice, Vysoký Chlumec, Kosova Hora, Kamýk nad Vltavou, and other.