Pavlov brings together prehistoric settlement and the landscape of Pálava: the Archeopark explores the world of mammoth hunters, while trails, Děvín and the Děvičky Castle ruins offer other ways to experience the area. If you are looking for accommodation in Pavlov, you can plan your stay around whether you want to focus more on archaeology, themed trails or a mix of culture and landscape.
Archaeology in Pavlov
The Pavlov Archeopark gives visitors access to one of the world’s most significant prehistoric mammoth hunter sites. The exhibition presents settlement in the region 25,000 to 30,000 years ago, as well as the material culture of hunter-gatherers. Topics include numerous examples of highly developed art, rituals and burial practices. So the focus is not only on dating the site: material culture, artistic expression and ritual themes also offer insight into how hunter-gatherers of the time expressed themselves. The Archeopark therefore offers an archaeological focus distinct from the nature and landscape themes of the trails.
Nature trails with different focuses
The Děvín nature trail starts in Pavlov and runs through the Děvín National Nature Reserve. It is 10.8 km long and has 15 stops covering vegetation, scree slopes, water management and agriculture, the geology of Pálava, and the history and settlement of Děvičky Castle. Forestry and hunting are also among the topics. The stops therefore combine natural history and human land use with local history.
The 4.1 km Archeostezka Dolní Věstonice–Pavlov trail leads to five of the most significant archaeological sites of mammoth hunters. It connects two branches of the Regional Museum in Mikulov: the Pavlov Archeopark and Dům přírody Pálavy in Dolní Věstonice. The choice depends on what you want to focus on: archaeological sites and the connection between the museum locations on the Archeostezka, or the variety of nature, land use and history topics on the Děvín nature trail.
Děvín and the Děvičky Castle ruins
At 554.5 m, Děvín is the highest and most imposing mountain in Pálava. On clear days, the view reaches the Alpine peaks and the elongated outline of the Little Carpathians in Slovakia. The Gothic ruins of Děvičky Castle are a striking feature on the northern edge of the Děvín massif ridge. They are also known as Dívčí Hrady, Maidberg or Maidenburg. A walk through the ruins offers panoramic views of Pálava and the surrounding landscape. Sections of the walls, towers and palace rooms have survived.
Architectural heritage and wine trail
Pavlov’s architectural ensemble was designated a state monument reserve in 1995. In addition, 19 protected wine cellar houses in Pavlov date from the 17th century. They complement the Archeopark’s prehistoric perspective with the town’s dated architectural heritage.
The Mikulov wine trail is 28 km long and can be completed on foot, by bicycle or by car. The lengths of the trails mentioned here therefore vary considerably: the Archeostezka is 4.1 km long, the Děvín nature trail 10.8 km and the Mikulov wine trail 28 km. For the latter, you can also choose between the three stated ways of getting around.
Discover more destinations: Březí U Mikulova, Hlohovec, Bavory, Kobylí, Krumvíř, Popice, Podivín, Starovičky
For the overview of the wider area: Břeclav District.
