Alleys and the Participant Reflections of Their Significances (Using the Example of the Contest for the Alley of the Year)

The Czech Republic is criss-crossed by thousands of kilometres of alleyways, which have been part of this territory since the late Middle Ages and which inseparably co-create the local typical landscape character. Their functions and significances make them an element that is important not only for the countryside, but also for people themselves. The nationwide survey “The Alley of the Year”, organised by the Czech non-profit organisation Arnika since 2011, reveals how the alleyways are currently perceived by individuals. The contest offers an exploration of the subjective relation of specific groups of the public to the alleyways. The article focusses on the analysis of particular nominations, meaning on the texts giving reasons for which specific local alleyways entered the contest. Using the analysis, the significances are identified which the alleyways have for nominating individuals and communities. The treatise defines seven basic identified groups of significances (historical and cultural; aesthetical and landscape; ecological and natural; personal; psychological; social; spiritual), which are thoroughly deals with.