Břeclav, Břeclav District, South Moravian Region

Pohansko near Břeclav is among the well-researched Great Moravian strongholds on our territory and is situated 2.5 km from the town of Břeclav, in a riparian forest, and spread over 28 ha. The meaning of the name „Pohansko“ refers to „a place associated with paganism“. The evidence of human presence dates back to the Mesolithic, Neolithic and La Tène periods although the continuous occupation in the Early Middle Ages is of essential importance. The oldest part of this period left us with a cremation cemetery with 55 graves and an unfortified settlement in the northern part of the stronghold. From the beginning of the 9th century, the stronghold consisted of an oval unstructured area surrounded by a high wall with a shell-type construction, the remains of which are still visible in the landscape. A magnate court was unearthed in the north-western part of the central area covering about 1 ha. It was protected with a palisade and included — apart from the dwelling part with houses on stone foundations — a Great Moravian church with a cemetery. The second Great Moravian church was discovered in 2006 in the area of the northern suburb (i.e. the bailey). The remains of a Great Moravian settlement have been found outside the central fortified area, both in the southern and northern suburbs and in the hinterland of the stronghold. Systematic excavations have been conducted there for more than 60 years by the Department of Archaeology and Museology, Masaryk University in Brno.

References: Dostál 1975; 1982; Dresler 2011; Drozdová 2005; Vignatiová 1992.

Navigation point: N 48°43'55.550", E 16°53'49.416" (church in the central part of the stronghold).