Bojná – Hradisko Valy, Museum and Sacred Art

Bojná combines archaeology, early medieval history and sacred art into a distinctive destination in Slovakia. At its heart is Hradisko Valy, a fortified settlement that played an important role in the 9th century as a centre of production, trade and missionary activity, as well as a seat of the Slavic social elite. Anyone interested in the emergence of medieval cultural regions will find a place here where history is visible not only in exhibits, but also in reconstructed structures.

Hradisko Valy: Open-Air Exhibition and Historical Context

The open-air exhibition at Hradisko Valy features a reconstruction of the western fortification. It also includes model reconstructions of Slavic pit houses at the site of the original find, a reconstructed clay oven, a smithy and a storage pit. This makes it possible to view the site from different perspectives: as a fortified settlement, a production centre and a centre of trade and missionary activity.

The reconstructed eastern gate is particularly striking. It is presented as the largest reconstruction of a Slavic gate in Central Europe. Hradisko Valy is also especially significant for the history of religion: the archaeological site is among the oldest evidence of the Christianisation of the ancestors of today’s population. It lies along the Cyril and Methodius Cultural Route and Pilgrimage Route, which is certified by the Council of Europe.

Practical Information for Your Visit

Access to Hradisko Valy is free of charge year-round. The site is located approximately 5 km from Bojná; you can take this approximate distance into account when planning your excursions. A stay in Bojná can therefore focus both on the archaeological site and on the cultural offerings in the village, without limiting the historical themes to a single location.

The Archaeological Museum of Great Moravia in Bojná is located in the village centre. The municipality established it in 2012; the museum exhibition is administered by the Slovak National Museum. The museum shares a dedicated area of the municipal office building with a regional information centre. Original finds from Hradisko Valy are displayed there, complementing the outdoor reconstructions with the perspective of the surviving artefacts.

Multilingual Exhibition and Church of All Saints

For visitors with different language backgrounds, the Archaeological Museum of Great Moravia offers a multilingual digital exhibition. Historical figures from the period of Great Moravia address visitors and explain life and traditions at the time. The digital exhibition is available in Slovak, English and German. This means you can explore the content independently even if you do not have an in-depth introduction to the history of Great Moravia.

Another cultural aspect of Bojná is the Church of All Saints. The church was originally Gothic and was later remodelled in the Neoclassical style. Inside, there is a Neoclassical high altar from the late 18th century featuring an image of All Saints, as well as a Neoclassical pulpit from the same period. Its square parapet, decorated with carved rosettes, and the sculpture of the archangel Saint Michael on the canopy make it a distinctive detail of the interior.

Other Places in the Same Overview

If you would like to compare Bojná with other places, here are the remaining destinations in the same overview: Radošina, Nemečky, Šalgovce, Tvrdomestice, Orešany, Čermany, Preseľany, Prasice.

To the higher-level travel overview: Topoľčany District.