hradiště Kolo Hillfort
The castle Kolo is a prehistoric castle in the village Týnec nad Labem, the district of Kolín, Central Bohemian region. It comes from the time of the Halštat and Latin and is remarkable as the smallest oppidum in Bohemia. It used to serve as an important political-economic centre.
The fort was built during the Halštat period and again fortified in Latin. Thanks to the strategic location at the intersection of trade routes from west to east, from north to south, and the proximity of the Lake Water Route, it became a key place for buyers in the second and first century B.C.
The monument lies on the hill Kolo (225 metres above sea level), the northernmost corner of the Iron Mountains, where the Elbe once surrounded itself with a castle, making it an island. The fortified area has eleven hectares and the entrance was on the west side.
Archaeological excavations revealed two stages of fortification. In the east, there is a wall of Halštat or Mladaten origin, formed by a palisade in the rock gallows and the ground wall. The northern edge has two Latin fortifications: the first was wooden with stone structures which were destroyed by fire; the second is a stake pit with a stone stripe between 1.3 and 2 meters wide.
The first collection of materials in the 20th century was carried out by František Dvořák, followed by Jan Filip and Jiří Hrala since 1951. More extensive excavations in the 1970s were organized by Zbyněk Sedláček.
In 2014 68 Celtic coins and their fractions, mainly Czech bobsleds, appeared in the background. One-third of the stator has a defect consistent with the Stradonic findings. One obol comes from the Old Hrastria. Another significant discovery is bronze boar head, probably part of a wooden bucket for wine or mead.
The remains of the castle are protected as a cultural monument. The castle Kolo is a witness to early commercial and political life, giving insight into Celtic culture in Bohemia.
Historical milestones
- 1951
- Initiating long-term surface survey
- 2014
- Rescue Archaeological Research in the Underground
Architectural development
The fortifications consisted of palisades in stone sinks and walls made of quarry stone and soil. The northern part contained wooden structures filled with stones that had died of fire. The total area of the fort is eleven hectares.
Historical events
The first collection of material in the first half of the twentieth century, the launch of the survey in 1951 and rescue research in 2014.
Points of interest
- It's the smallest oppid in the Czech Republic. - The monument lies on a hill that Elbe once surrounded and made an island of. - Thanks to the position at the crossroads, the key place for buyers in the second and first century B.C. - In 2014 68 Celtic coins and their fractions were found in the substation. - Among the findings is the bronze head of the boar, which probably belonged to a wooden bucket for wine or mead.
Guide
Show guide text
This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
Welcome to the historical site hradiště Kolo, a unique archaeological site in Týnka nad Labem. You're standing here at a place that once served as a living center in prehistoric times and still acts as a mysterious witness to the past. Take a look up on the hilly terrain, where this ancient island once decomposed over the currents of the Elbe River.
The castle Kolo is the smallest of the Czech oppids and its history dates back to the Hallatian and Latin times. It emerged as an important business centre where roads met and the Elbe was a vital route for the movement of goods and people. This site has been a key location in the region since the second century BC.
Now look around and notice how the terrain reflects past strategic importance. Although specific architectural elements are not visible, the atmosphere of the room bears traces of thousands of years of activity. Imagine the fortifications and residential structures that once stood here, even though today only their traces of archaeological findings remained.
Many historical figures connect to this site. František Dvořák, Jan Filip, Jiří Hrala and Zbyněk Sedláček were among those who contributed to exploring and understanding this place. Their work helped uncover many of the archaeological hiding places of Kola.
The interesting thing is that in 2014 68 Celtic coins and their fractions were found in the substation. This finding shows a rich history of trade and contact with other cultures that took place here.
Let us also remember other interesting mysteries: hradiště Kolo once stood as an island in the Elbe River. This geographical characteristic gave him not only defence but also commercial strategic importance.
So let yourself explore other parts of this fascinating place and imagine the lives of the people who once lived here. Whether you choose to take another walk or deepen your knowledge of this historic place, hradiště Kolo will certainly surprise you with its rich past. Thank you for your visit and we hope you will come back again.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
This is an archaeological site. Often there is little to see on the ground and the land may be private. We have not verified access.
Where is the monument?
Location: Týnec nad Labem, Středočeský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument (register no. 1000140942).
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Nearby
Kopce Kolo, Železné hory a řeky Labe.
Accommodation nearby
Trips and activities nearby
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Search tours and activities →Themed route
Thematic cruise route around hradiště Kolo
1. Hrad Bike (archaeological site) Type: Archaeological site Why it is worth a visit: Kolo Hradiště is one of the most important prehistoric places in the Czech Republic. Here are the remains of the great castle, which was inhabited already in the 5th century B.C. Visit this place to see the extensive archaeological exposition and learn more about the life of prehistoric people.
2. Kick Wheel Type: Natural body Why is it worth a visit: The Wheels are part of the Iron Mountains and offer beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. These places are ideal for walking and exploring the natural environment that surrounds archaeological sites.
3. Iron Mountains Type: Upper national territory Why is worth a visit: Iron Mountains are famous for their beautiful forests, hilly landscapes and historical significance. Visit this area to see the vast forest areas and understand the important role of these mountains in the industrial development of the region.
4. River Elbe Type: Water flow Why is worth a visit: The Elbe River is the longest flowing river in the Czech Republic and represents an important element of regional geography. The view of its currents from nearby hilly areas offers nice landscape views that complement the overall touching of the route.
This route offers a combination of archaeological discoveries and natural beauties, allowing for deeper knowledge of both history and landscape areas around Týnek nad Labem.
Seasonal recommendations
In the spring the castle comes to life together with nature, which is beginning to green around the river. Light is soft and pleasant in this period, which creates an optimistic atmosphere. For the tour we recommend choosing shoes that can handle wet terrain and any mud. It's a great time for those who seek peace without a large number of people.
It's very sunny in the summer and the surrounding vegetation is dense. The atmosphere is full of life, but high temperatures can be challenging. It is best to arrive immediately after sunrise to avoid the greatest heat and crowds. It is necessary to carry a headgear, plenty of fluids and light, breathable clothes.
Autumn brings fog and fascinating color changes to the landscape. Light is low and creates dramatic shadows on archaeological terrain. Due to the variable weather and wind, it is advisable to carry a waterproof layer and solid shoes. It's a period for lovers of peace and melancholy views of history.
In winter, the place is dry and very quiet, especially if the landscape is covered with snow. Days are short and light is weak, which limits time to observation. It is absolutely crucial to have very warm clothes and high-quality shoes because there can be considerable frost and wind in the open area.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
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Sources and literature
Photos: Petr1888 / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
Location on the map
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