Dolní Věstonice

Dolní Věstonice combines exceptional archaeology with Moravian wine tradition and an educational trail along the Novomlýnská Reservoir. The town is particularly interesting if, for your stay, you are looking not only for accommodation but also for history, landscapes and regional discoveries. Between Paleolithic archaeological sites, historical traces on the outskirts, wine cellars and a 16-kilometre educational trail, it offers a varied destination for curious families and anyone who enjoys combining culture with active days.

Paleolithic archaeology and documented finds

At Dolní Věstonice I, Karel Absolon began the first systematic archaeological research into Paleolithic sites below Pálava in 1924, under the auspices of the Moravian Museum. A year later, he discovered the approximately 11-centimetre-high Venus of Dolní Věstonice in Dolní Věstonice. This small figurine is one of the most striking reminders of the town’s prehistoric past.

Dolní Věstonice is also associated with the discovery of the oldest woven textile, as well as with ceramics made from fired clay and ash. Dolní Věstonice I preserves remains of a hunter settlement, numerous human and animal sculptures, and jewellery and anthropological finds. These are complemented by the oldest evidence of new technologies, such as the production of ceramics and textiles. For visitors, this makes it clear that the sites produced not only individual spectacular objects but also document various aspects of life at the time.

Dolní Věstonice III further expands this picture: Its stone industry provides evidence both of settlement by mammoth hunters and of traces of an earlier settlement of the Aurignacian culture dating from 40,000 to 35,000 years ago. A Great Moravian hillfort site and an extensive burial ground are also located in the immediate vicinity of Dolní Věstonice. At Dolní Věstonice II, visitors can see the so-called Calendar of the Ages, a massive loess profile documenting Paleolithic settlement.

Historical traces and Moravian wine

At the northern edge of Dolní Věstonice, in the area known as Vysoká zahrada, are the remains of a rampart and the ground plan of a church that stood there until the beginning of the 13th century. The Habán wine cellars offer another historical view of the town: At the so-called Husí plácek, they form a small square ensemble and can still be seen there today.

The wine tradition can also be discovered through tastings. The Víno Svoboda wine cellar offers guided wine tastings and sells its wines directly on site. At Sklep u Elišky a Toníka, guided and unguided tastings of wines from the Červinka winery in Horní Věstonice are offered. During tastings at Sklep u Elišky a Toníka, a small seasonal snack selection may be available.

Educational trail at the Novomlýnská Reservoir

For an in-depth exploration of the landscape, the 16-kilometre Naučná stezka Věstonická nádrž educational trail passes through Dolní Věstonice. It follows the shore of the middle Novomlýnská Reservoir, which is considered an important bird sanctuary. At six stops, it covers the birds and fish of the Novomlýnská reservoirs, the submerged village of Mušov and the restoration of the floodplain landscape. The trail therefore combines nature observation, the history of the water bodies and the transformation of a landscape, rather than showing just a single viewpoint.

The House of Nature Pálava offers programmes focused on experiences. It also features a modern interactive exhibition about the local fauna and flora, geological treasures and the region’s rich history.

Other places in the same selection

If you would like to explore other places in the same broader selection in addition to Dolní Věstonice, you can find Dobré Pole, Hrušky, Velké Pavlovice, Ladná, Jevišovka, Němčičky U Hustopečí, Pavlov and Brod Nad Dyjí here.

To the broader travel overview: Břeclav District.