Hillfort Pohansko
The Pohansko archaeological museum complements the exhibition in the castle, which presents the life of the ancient Slavs from the perspective of the latest archaeological findings. Outside there are replicas showing the Great Moravian cult, production and residential area.
Near the Pohansko Chateau, about 3 km south of Breclav, an archaeoskanzen is gradually being built on the site of an important lowland hillfort, where you can see, among other things, a replica of a cult site made up of wooden idols of pagan deities. In addition to the pagan sanctuary from the early 10th century, there is a semi-shrine with a well from the 9th century. The archaeoskanzen is located on the site where one of the largest medieval fortifications in Central Europe was built during the 9th to 11th centuries in connection with the establishment of Great Moravia. There is a pagan sanctuary and skeletal burial site from the 10th century, a semi-groundhouse, a well and a ceramic kiln from the 9th century.
What can you visit here?
It was filmed about Pohansko
Information from history
History of the Pohansko hillfort
Archaeological research has revealed scattered finds from various periods of prehistory, but above all, it has been proven a systematic settlement from the time of Slavic expansion (6th century) until the first half of the 10th century AD.
Břeclav-Pohansko: A Monumental Witness to the Dawn of Christianity in Great Moravia
The archaeological site of Břeclav-Pohansko stands as one of the most significant centers of early medieval Europe and a vital stop on the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius. This extensive hillfort, nestled within the lush floodplains of the Dyje River, served as a major power hub of the Great Moravian Empire during the 9th century. It is here that we can witness the fascinating transformation of a society shifting from ancient pagan rituals to a new Christian identity under the influence of the Byzantine mission. Pohansko is not merely a silent observer of the past but living proof of the cultural and spiritual sophistication of ancestors who constructed monumental fortifications protecting a magnate's court, artisan quarters, and sacred buildings.
At the heart of the complex lies the magnate’s court, whose architecture reflects Carolingian influences and demonstrates the high ambitions of the ruling elites. Archaeological excavations have revealed the foundations of a stone church surrounded by a vast cemetery, confirming that Christianity took firm root here during the era of the Salonica brothers. Discoveries of luxury jewelry, intricate buttons (gombíky), and weaponry within the noble tombs speak of the immense wealth and international connections Great Moravia maintained at the time. For visitors seeking a blend of history and nature, Pohansko offers a unique atmosphere where the shadows of Old Slavic gods meet the first Christian crosses, and every excavation tells a story of the birth of Central European culture.
Located right in the heart of the archaeological site is the elegant Empire-style Liechtenstein hunting lodge, which today serves as a museum gateway to the past. The permanent exhibition dedicated to the Great Moravian Empire offers visitors a fascinating look at the results of decades of research conducted by Masaryk University. Inside the lodge, the story of our ancestors comes to life through unique finds, including masterfully crafted jewelry such as typical gombíky (ornamental buttons), earrings, and rings, as well as evidence of everyday life—from agricultural tools to pottery. The reconstructions of grave finds and the large-scale model of the hillfort are particularly impressive, helping visitors grasp the scale and significance of this ancient power hub. For pilgrims and tourists following the footsteps of Saints Cyril and Methodius, visiting the lodge’s interior is an essential stop, providing a tangible form to the spiritual legacy of the era.
Where to get tourist information?
Contacts
Na Velehradě jsou dvě informační centra, kde mohou turisté a návštěvníci získat informace o prohlídkách, akcích, výstavách a dalších aktivitách, které v obci dějí.
Pohansko Chateau
Pohansko 206, 690 02 Břeclav
tel. +420 519 374 248
e-mail: pavel.gajda@muzeumbv.cz
web: www.muzeumbv.cz
Tourist-Information Centre
U Tržiště 324/8, 690 02 Břeclav
tel.: +420 519 326 900
e-mail: zuzana.sebkova@ticbreclav.cz
web: breclav.eu
City Museum and Gallery
sídl. Dukelských hrdinů 2747/4a, 690 02 Břeclav
tel.: +420 519 323 050
e-mail: info@muzeumbv.cz
web: www.muzeumbv.cz
How to get to Pohansko?
The Pohansko archaeological site is located about four kilometres south of the centre of Breclav. You can get here by the green hiking trail or by the cycle path No. 43 leading along the left bank of the Dyje River. If you are travelling by car, drive towards Lanžhot and turn right at the marked place – you will then reach a gravel parking lot, from where you have to continue about 2 km on foot through the protected nature reserve Soutok (entry by car without a permit is forbidden!)
Tips for accommodation?
- Pension LOR, Havlíčkova 92, Břeclav
- CENTRUM accommodation Breclav, Stromořadní 839, Břeclav
- Accomodation Milanna, Žižkova 31, Břeclav
- Chateau guesthouse Rotunda, Zámecké nám. 4/14, Břeclav
- Hostel Břeclav, Pod Zámkem 2881/5, Břeclav