Mikulcice

A site situated on the Morava River in the Czech Republic, a settlement of Great Moravia and the earliest Slavic state polity. It is a complex site with stratified deposits going back to the late 6th century, when it was one of the earliest Slavic fortified centers. The stronghold consisted of a central nucleus within a plank-built palisade, with an additional suburb of workshops and houses. Mikulcice was an important metal production center, famous for elaborate bronze and gilded spurs. In Midulcice's second phase during the early 9th century, the defenses were refurbished in stone and timber, and a stone church was built. In the latter part of the 9th century, a stone-built palace and a number of other churches were built. These churches display an enormous variety of designs, and include several rotunda buildings. Greater Moravia fell in 907 AD.

A site situated on the River Morava in Czechoslovakia. It is a complex site with stratified deposits going back to the late 6th century, when it was one of the earliest Slavic fortified centres. This stronghold consisted of a central nucleus contained within a plank-built palisade, with an additional suburb of workshops and houses. Mikulcice was an important metal production centre, famous for the manufacture of elaborate bronze and gilded spurs. The organic material in these excavated levels is well-preserved and includes part of a large timber bridge. In Mikulcice’s second phase during the early 9th century the defences were refurbished in stone and timber, and a stone church was built. In the latter part of the 9th century there were a series of tribal clashes, and after these disturbances yet more buildings were erected. These include a stone-built palace and a number of churches. These churches display an enormous variety of designs, and include several rotunda buildings, including a rotunda with horse-shoe apses. In most of them, both the interior and exterior walls were covered with plaster, which was typically painted.