IEM and CHAM Archeology groups promote an open class by Professor Renáta Přichystalová from the University of Masaryk (Czech). The class’s theme is: The Břeclav – Pohansko stronghold and its role and importance in the economic, political and power structures of Great Moravia.

This lecture will be held on November 11th, at 3 p.m., at FCSH, Berna Ave. Campus, A Tower (A209).

Everyone is welcome!

The so-called Great Moravian Empire was located in the central part of Europe. Its core was on the territory of the present-day Czech Republic and Slovakia. Its existence is documented in both written and archaeological sources from the 9th and early 10th centuries. One of the centres of Great Moravia was the fortified stronghold Pohansko near the town of Břeclav. Pohansko was located on the southern border of the historical core of the geopolitical formation known today as Great Moravia. The fortified area covers 28 hectares. The length of the fortification is 2 km. Two suburbs belonged to the central fortification area – a smaller one to the northeast of the fortification (c. 2.5 ha) and a larger one to the south of the fortification (c. 23 ha). Ongoing research began here as early as 1958. During almost 70 years of excavations, several thousand settlement features, more than 1000 graves and two Christian churches have been found. Pohansko probably had several important functions: it was a gateway to the interior of the “empire”, a border fortress and a checkpoint for merchant caravans. Its importance and function will be discussed in detail in the lecture.