Kopčany: Stud Farm and Great Moravian Heritage

Kopčany brings together three cultural attractions: the stud farm, the Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch and the cross-border Mikulčice–Kopčany Archaeological Park. When planning a stay, it is worth taking the relevant visitor arrangements into account: access to the stud farm is seasonal, visits to the museum in Kopčany require prior arrangement, and guided tours of the heritage zone are available by arrangement from September to June.

Stud Farm and Museum in Kopčany

The Kopčany stud farm was first mentioned in written documents in 1660. At that time, Adam Czobor had a large stud farm built, on whose foundations the present-day complex was established. The stud farm houses an ethnographic museum exhibition, a museum of the old stable, a visitor centre and an information centre. The stud farm is open to visitors during the summer tourist season; guided tours are also available. Facilities and seasonal access may change, so check visitor information before your arrival.

The museum in Kopčany is housed in a former, renovated chapel on the ground floor of the stud farm building. Its focus is on the results of archaeological research in the municipality, particularly the Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch. A visit to the museum must be arranged in advance. The museum offers its own perspective on the archaeological sites and research in the municipality, and should be considered as a separate item in your itinerary.

The Church and the Archaeological Park

The Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch dates to the 9th century. It is the only surviving standing sacred building from the Great Moravian period in Central Europe and is located in the area of “Za jazerom pri svätej Margite” in the cadastral territory of Kopčany. The surroundings of the church are part of the cross-border Mikulčice–Kopčany Archaeological Park. From the Slavic hillfort complex in Mikulčice, the church is easily accessible to pedestrians and cyclists via the Bridge of Great Moravia. Built and opened in 2019, the bridge crosses the border river Morava, also known as the March. As route conditions may change, it is advisable to check them before setting out.

The Kopčany heritage zone preserves an important group of archaeological sites dating from the 9th to the 10th century. In the context of Central-Eastern Europe in the 8th to 10th centuries, the Mikulčice–Kopčany agglomeration is of exceptional and unique value. Guided visits to the heritage zone are available by prior arrangement from September to June.

The “Great Moravian Monuments” tour includes the ethnographic museum on the history and finds of Kopčany, Kačenáreň, the Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch, the settlement of the guards, the ruler’s court, the Bridge of Great Moravia and the Slavic Hillfort Centre in Mikulčice. The “Experience the Baroque Landscape” programme combines a visit to the stud farm and its architecture with a chapel, the “Odievanie v premenách času” exhibition, a multimedia presentation of the functional Baroque landscape and the representative section of the chateau. The content of individual tours and the exhibition may change.

Kačenáreň, Landscape and Cycling Routes

Kačenáreň is a reconstructed farm building associated with F. Š. Lotrinský; reconstruction was completed in 2022. Originally, it was part of an agricultural complex for catching wild waterfowl, created by the Dutch expert Jacob Bodes. The archaeological park also includes a winding route along the Great Moravian Road and two viewpoints in the landscape.

High-quality cycle paths run through the heritage zone, connecting Skalica with Mikulčice via Holíč and the Bridge of Great Moravia. A cycling loop listed by TIK Skalica runs from Skalica via Holíč and Kopčany and back to Skalica, covering 25 kilometres. For planning purposes, you can distinguish this loop, which starts and ends in Skalica, from the cross-border connection to Mikulčice; the distance given applies to the loop.

The Kopčany riding arena is another possible activity: individuals can rent it, and it is also used for riding lessons and competitions. If you plan to use it, confirm availability in advance.

Discover more destinations: Skalica, Kátov, Vrádište, Holíč, Lopašov

Go to the main travel overview: Skalica.