Kamil Vladislav Muttich, artistically known as Camil Orfano – Muttich (10 February 1873, Prague – 6 November 1924, Nymburk), was a Czech painter. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague and later in Italy. Besides painting, he also worked on poster design, advertising, postcards, and illustrations for magazines and books. Alongside his artistic work, he had many other interests. His great passion was skiing. He was a member of the Czech Association for Winter Sports and the Skiers' Union and the founder of the ski club Himalaja. He also worked as a course inspector in races. His most significant contribution was the creation of the so-called Mute Signs of the Krkonoše Mountains.
Mute Signs, also known as Muttichovky, are tourist orientation symbols that Muttich designed for significant mountain huts, peaks, settlements, and other locations in the Krkonoše Mountains. Initially, there were 28 type of mute signs, later 35, and today there are 31. Their purpose is to ensure visibility of the signs even in reduced visibility, snowstorms, or frost. The signs are made of 2-millimeter thick steel with a durable surface finish and painted with red enamel. They are used in combination with pole markers, and due to their size of 30 to 50 cm and their distinct color, they are always visible. The signs do not indicate distance or time but only point in the direction of the specified location, with an arrow at the bottom of the sign. Therefore, before the journey, it was advisable to measure the approximate length of the route, find the corresponding sign, and follow it in the terrain.
The first Muttichovky appeared in the most visited places in the western Krkonoše during the winter of 1921/22, and in 1924 the mute marking of the Krkonoše was completed. Muttichovky were placed throughout the mountain range, from Nový Svět (Harrachov) to Janské Lázně. In total, there were 350 signs.
Mute signs without any text also resolved the then-ongoing national disputes over the language version of inscriptions on regular tourist signs. After World War II, the signs beyond the borders gradually disappeared. However, on the Czech side of the Krkonoše, they are still maintained. The individual symbols and their overview can be found on almost every ski map of the Krkonoše, and they also appear on summer tourist maps and in various guides or brochures.
The mute signs created by Kamil Muttich are now part of the cultural heritage of the Krkonoše Mountains. Even after a hundred years, they can still help tourists in difficult situations.
Source: Mute signs, Muttich
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