In Paris, a proposal was submitted for the inscription of Mikulčice and Kopčany in UNESCO

Mikulčice (Hodonínsko) - A proposal was submitted last Friday in Paris at the UNESCO center to inscribe the Mikulčice-Kopčany archaeological park, located on the Moravian-Slovak border, on the World Heritage list. František Synek, the head of the exhibition at the Slavic Hillfort in Mikulčice, said this to ČTK today. A detailed evaluation process, in which it will be decided whether this historically unique site truly deserves the inscription, will begin in the upcoming year.
    The inclusion of the site, centered around the Great Moravian stronghold of Valy, among UNESCO sites is a wish of not only archaeologists, historians, and heritage conservationists, but also representatives of the South Moravian and Trnava regions.
    If the plan succeeds, Mikulčice will become the third UNESCO site in South Moravia, following the Lednice-Valtice area and the Tugendhat villa in Brno. In the past, there have also been discussions about the central part of the Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area potentially becoming a UNESCO geopark due to its valuable nature, caves, and rich history.
    The Valy stronghold in Mikulčice was one of the important centers of the Great Moravian Empire. The monument consists of the stronghold itself with its forecourts and the adjacent settlement agglomeration. The main fort rises nearly seven meters above the surrounding terrain. According to some sources, the missionaries Cyril and Methodius also operated there. The results of the ongoing research are presented in the permanent exhibition at the archaeological site.
    Absolutely unique is the nearby church of St. Margaret of Antioch in Kopčany. It was built in the ninth century and is considered the oldest standing church structure in Central Europe. The two sites are separated only by the Morava River, which a modern bridge for visitors should span in the future.
    Mikulčice was recently hit by a devastating fire that destroyed the local archaeologists' base. The wooden structure burned down, along with part of the valuable artifacts found at Valy and extensive documentation. The fire claimed one life - a guard at the site perished. The tragedy was likely caused by a technical malfunction. Damages are estimated at ten million crowns. Firefighters and investigators are continuing to look into the case.
    The entire area of Mikulčice is awaiting extensive modifications. There are plans to build a modern base for archaeologists. Next year, a modernized second pavilion of the Slavic Hillfort exhibition will be opened, which will have the atmosphere of an old Great Moravian temple. Interest in the hillfort is growing. This year, for the first time, the tourist season in Mikulčice will be extended into the first three weeks of November.