Prague-Liboc, Prague
Early Medieval hillfort ‘Šárka’
(9th cent.)
Acropolis of Šárka hillfort (right) from the dawn of the Czech Early Medieval state. Its historical tradition vanished after the Battle of White Mountain near the Summer palace Hvězda (on the horizon, left).
Photo Z. Kačerová, 2014.
An important Early Medieval hillfort of the pre-Přemyslid period. The rocks above the Šárecký Stream were settled in prehistoric times, and the Šárka phase of the Neolithic Linear Pottery culture takes its name from the site. However, the medieval phase in the settlement is better preserved. Probably built in the 8th century, the ‘Šárka’ hillfort was abandoned in the 10th century at the latest, when new Přemyslid residences such as ‘Levý Hradec’ (see Žalov) and Prague Castle rose in prominence. Finds of cast metal fittings of the Avar period and Frankish coins document the range of long-distance contacts of the elite residing at the ‘Šárka’ site, suggesting that in addition to military functions the hillfort also served as an administrative and trade centre.
References: Sklenář a kol. 2002; Čtverák a kol. 2003; Nechvátal a kol. 2012.
Navigation points: N 50°05'48.31", E 14°19'15.60".
Map notes: A – ‘Šestákova skála’ rock formation with prehistoric settlement; B – ‘Kozákova skála’ with the hillfort´s acropolis; C–D – baileys; E – presumed hillfort entrance. Map symbols are available in the Downloads section.
Selected fulltext articles and reports for further reading. Complete bibliographical records are available in the Downloads section as the List of publications.
Archeologický atlas Čech – Praha-LibocNechvátal, B. a kol. 2012: Záchranný archeologický výzkum na raně středověkém hradišti v Šárce, Archaeologia historica 37/2, 401–418.