Hradiště na Zavírce Hillfort

Welcome to the top of the Closure. You are standing in a place that is far more than just a normal point on the map of the Brno Highlands. There is a fascinating view of the surrounding landscape in front of you, but the most important thing you're experiencing right now is the feeling of being present in a place where time seems to be stopped. Feel this space, feel the peace and quiet that exists here. You're in a place where nature meets a deep, almost forgotten human history. It may seem like more hills and trees to you now, but under your steps, there is a secret that has been knowingly revealed to people very slowly.

Let us now look together at what this place really means. You are standing outside the castle in Zavarka, a prehistoric fortified mansion. Although at first glance it may seem to be a mere natural high, it is a work of human hands. The exact date when the first people started building their fortifications here remains one of the biggest questions this hill has to offer. The archaeological surveys and analyses of the shapes you see here only suggest that we are probably moving in the Bronze period or in the late Hallatians. Imagine the human effort, the will, and the need for security that led the people back then to fortify this strategic place at the top of the hill.

Now pay attention to what's right in front of you. Notice the structure of the terrain and the resilient lines you see here. What you see today as a part of nature is actually the remains of the stone wavy system. These times were once much more powerful and created an impenetrable barrier for anyone who would attempt to invade this mansion. Although time, rain and vegetation gradually wipes out their original face, they still recognize the intention and strength of the then builders. Take a look at the stony remains as they deny themselves into the ground. Every rock and every lump of earth here is part of something much bigger than a pile of rubble. It's a survival architecture that has endured thousands of years.

But the way to see this place today was very complicated and full of obstacles. This area has been part of a military retreat for a long time, which meant that it was almost inaccessible to scientists and ordinary visitors. This isolation was both a blessing and a curse for the castle. On the one hand, it helped to preserve the site from direct destruction, but on the other hand, it hampered the possibility of in-depth examination. That's why the existence of this castle has been so unclear all along.

Now think about the people who took care of this place and tried to understand it. The history of this place is not only about stones, but also about the people who sought the truth in it. Names like Jan Erazim Vocel, Josef Maličký, Václav Huml or Jaroslav Kudrnáč are not just names in textbooks. These are the people whose work and perseverance have enabled us to stand here today and realize the importance of this place. Thanks to their efforts and subsequent scientific knowledge, thanks to modern methods, we were able to make sure in 2012 that the castle in Zavárek really existed. Before that, his existence was the subject of constant disputes and uncertainties.

This validation process lasted long years. In 1965, the castle was included in the state list of cultural monuments, but in 1987 it was unfortunate to cancel its monument protection. It was a period of uncertainty when this place could become forgotten and lost. Fortunately, things have turned out differently. Thanks to new knowledge, protection was restored in 2017, which gives us assurance that this inheritance will be preserved for future generations.

And this is where we come to something that may interest you the most. Prepare for a small dose of secrets. Although we have done a lot of research here, and despite how clearly we can see the remains of the waves, we have not been able to find any particular artifacts at this point. No vessels, no tools, no jewelry that would clearly tell us exactly who lived here and how. This fort is like a book that has a very strong bond and beautiful illustrations in the form of wallets, but its pages remain unread for our eyes. It's a place that offers us a hint, but refuses to give us a full answer.

You can also imagine what this place looked like in other times. In the nineteenth century, there was a scenic port on a nearby hill. People came here to seek the beauty of the landscape and peace, perhaps they didn't even know that such an ancient secret was resting right under their feet. Today we are the ones who are trying to shed light on these shadows of the past.

Now I want to invite you to continue your walk. Let yourself be guided by these remnants of stone waves, perceive the atmosphere of this place and try in spirit to imagine what life in this fortified mansion was like thousands of years ago. Explore the surrounding terrain, observe how the lines of the fort were wedged into the Brno landscape. Every step can bring you closer to understanding this silent witness of history. Thank you for choosing to visit this place and devote your time to its secrets. We wish you a wonderful journey and other interesting experiences in exploring our history. Goodbye.