Staré Zámky Hillfort
Discover Staré Zámky Hillfort: Immerse yourself in a captivating journey through time. This ancient hillfort witnessed prehistoric settlements during the Younger Stone Age, played a crucial role in the Older Iron Age, and bore witness to the cultural impact of the Celtic Age. However, its most significant transformation occurred during the Great Moravian Empire (830-906). Meticulously restored, it evolved into a fortified settlement that served as the administrative hub for the Brno area. Explore the layers of history at Staré Zámky!
Explore the fascinating history of Staré Zámky hillfort, nestled in the southern part of the Moravian Karst within the Brno-Líšeň district. Located just 1.5 km northeast of the village center, this archaeological monument reserve sits atop a rock promontory, surrounded by the Říčka stream. The site’s origins trace back from the Neolithic era to the early 11th century. During the Great Moravian period, this hillfort played a pivotal role as a strategic hub, connecting the central empire region with ironworks in the Moravian Karst. It stands as a direct precursor to the city of Brno. As we explore its weathered stones and contemplate its legacy, we glimpse the past’s intricate dance with the present—a bridge across ages, connecting us to our roots.
What can you visit here?
Filmed about the Staré Zámky Hillfort
Information from history
History of the hillfort
The Staré Zámky Hillfort, located approximately 1.5 km northeast of Brno-Líšeň, was undoubtedly the center of the Brno region during the 9th and 10th centuries. This multi-cultural site was fortified along the entire perimeter during the Slavic period. However, around the turn of the 9th and 10th centuries, a significant catastrophe—marked by destruction and fire—occurred within the hillfort. The hillfort is situated on a prominent rocky promontory formed by conglomerates, with its longer axis oriented northwest to southeast. Protected as an archaeological monument, it remains an intriguing historical site for tourists exploring the Moravian Karst region.
Staré Zámky Hillfort, Brno-Líšeň
The earliest settlement of the rock promontory on which the hillfort was located is dated to the Late Neolithic to Early Eneolithic period (5th to 4th millennium BC) on the basis of isolated finds belonging to the Moravian painted pottery culture[1]. During the Eneolithic, the people of the funnel-shaped cup culture settled here and later the people of the canelled pottery culture. The foundations of a densely built-up settlement surrounded by a defensive rampart and ditch, as well as finds of copper objects, marble beads or bone belt buckles, testify to the intensive settlement at this time. There were several more reoccupations in the Bronze Age (Podolia phase of the Central Danube ashfield culture), the Late Bronze Age and the beginning of the Migration of Peoples.
Staré Zámky flourished most during the Slavic settlement in the Middle and Younger Fortress Period during the Great Moravian period. As early as the 8th century, an earthen mound with a wooden palisade was built around the settlement. A massive fortification was built at the beginning of the 9th century, a great manor with a wooden watchtower about 10 m high, log buildings and probably a church. The area in front of the castle was used for burial purposes at this time. The castle became one of the important centres of the empire at this time and retained its importance for decades after its fall.
A devastating fire struck the fortress at the end of the Great Moravian period, significantly damaging the fortifications and the grand court. Arrowheads dating from this period testify to the violent invasion of enemy troops. However, the fortifications were rebuilt to a lesser extent and the fortress continued to function until the end of the 10th century.
Source: cs.wikipedia.org
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.
TO JE Brno Information Centre
Panenská 712/1, 60200 Brno-město, Česko
tel. +420 602 404 246
e-mail: panenska@ticbrno.cz
web:ticbrno.cz
Information centre under the crocodile
Radnická 368/8, 60200 Brno-město, Česko
tel: +420 542 427 150
e-mail: info@ticbrno.cz
web: ticbrno.cz
How to get to hilffort?
The Old Slavic settlement of Staré Zámky is located above the picturesque valley of the river Říčka. The best way to reach the fortress is from the bus stop Líšeň – cemetery, from where you can follow the yellow trail. Behind the cemetery wall is a forested field. If you walk a little further, you will enter a rocky path lined with bushes, which ends on a forest path by the signpost Staré Zámky. There is an inconspicuous right turn leading past the forest to a place called Staré Zámky.
Tips for accommodation?
- TO JE Brno Information Centre
- Information centre under the crocodile