Dolní Věstonice: Archaeology, Landscape and Wine

Dolní Věstonice offers several distinct travel themes: Paleolithic finds, historic buildings, an educational trail through the reservoir landscape and wine tastings. The town’s connection with archaeological finds is particularly striking; nature and landscape, as well as local wine cellars, offer other points of interest. If you are choosing a destination based on cultural, natural or wine-related interests, you can consider these highlights separately.

Archaeological traces and sites

The history of research can be traced through two consecutive years. In 1924, Karel Absolon began the first systematic archaeological study of Paleolithic sites below Pálava at Dolní Věstonice I, under the auspices of the Moravian Museum. In 1925, he discovered the approximately 11-centimeter-high Venus of Dolní Věstonice in Dolní Věstonice. The dates refer to different events: the start of systematic research and the discovery of the figurine.

At Dolní Věstonice I, remains of a hunter settlement have been preserved, along with numerous human and animal sculptures, ornaments and anthropological finds. Dolní Věstonice is also associated with the discovery of the oldest woven textile, as well as pottery made from fired clay and ash. The archaeological connections therefore range from settlement traces and groups of finds to early evidence of human skills.

Another site, Dolní Věstonice III, contains finds from the stone industry. These provide evidence both of settlement by mammoth hunters and of traces of an earlier Aurignacian settlement dating from 40,000 to 35,000 years ago. At Dolní Věstonice II, you can see the so-called Calendar of the Ages: a massive loess profile documenting Paleolithic settlement. The sites thus offer different ways to explore prehistory—from artifacts and traces of settlement to a visible geological profile.

Historic sites in the town and its surroundings

Later periods also have their own points of interest. On the northern edge of the town, at the site 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. A Great Moravian hillfort site and an extensive burial ground are also located close to Dolní Věstonice. These remains offer historical connections distinct from those of the Paleolithic sites.

The Habán wine cellars at the so-called Husí plácek form a distinct architectural ensemble. They can still be seen there today. Together with the traces at Vysoká zahrada, they broaden the picture of Dolní Věstonice to include historic architecture and local townscapes distinct from the prehistoric sites.

Educational trail through the reservoir landscape

The 16-kilometer Naučná stezka Věstonická nádrž educational trail passes through Dolní Věstonice and runs alongside the middle reservoir, Novomlýnská nádrž. The reservoir is considered an important bird sanctuary. Its six stops cover the birds and fish of the Novomlýnská reservoirs, the submerged village of Mušov and the restoration of the floodplain landscape. The trail brings together topics related to wildlife, history and landscape restoration; its focus differs from that of the archaeological sites.

Wine tastings in Dolní Věstonice

There are also different options for wine enthusiasts. Víno Svoboda wine cellar in Dolní Věstonice offers guided wine tastings and sells wines on site. At Sklep u Elišky a Toníka, you can taste wines from the Červinka winery in Horní Věstonice, with or without commentary. A small snack may be served at these tastings, depending on the season. If explanations are important to you, both cellars offer guided tastings; at Sklep, an unguided option is also available.

Discover more destinations: Bulhary, Strachotín, Moravská Nová Ves, Kašnice, Starovičky, Velké Hostěrádky, Velké Bílovice, Velké Němčice

For the overview of the wider area: Břeclav District.