Acta Musealia

Site Klenov in the Context of Old Transport Routes of East Moravia

This contribution attempts to substantiate motivation for establishment and following existence of a habitat site, where traces of fortification can be proved, dating back to Late Bronze Age and Middle Ages. Existence of a small mediaeval castle in this locality is dated, by archaeological finds from this site, from the beginning to the middle of the 14th century; however, there are no unambiguous written documents supporting this. The site on the top of a hill, high above the sea level and deep amongst Vsetín Hills, is relatively far from any denser historical settlements in valleys of these hills. Taking this into account, it is questionable that it could have been, for instance in the Middle Ages, a centre of a small manor holding. This is indirectly supported by the nature of the mountainous character of the surroundings of the site, which was intensively colonised only after the mediaeval castle decline. Even more intriguing seems the motivation for the existence of the old fortified castle, which is located, in all directions, so far from the more fertile land of this part of East Moravia.
Taking into the account the position of the site, the article indicates a possibility of this settlement having been established in connection with traffic on a unique period land communication, which had run through this mountainous terrain. The settlement, relatively distanced from more densely inhabited spaces, could even have had a function of a sanctuary for travellers. However, we cannot exclude even a certain management of or control over the communication traffic. Considering the location of the site and the nearest known inhabited areas, then south-north route connecting middle regions of the river Váh with a part of North Moravia, seems as the most likely ideal line. This route would not only have been suitable because of good traffic space, connecting mountain ridges and only a few fords; this premise is also indirectly supported by some of the relics of an intensive traffic movement in the countryside, most often in the form of deserted sunken roads. Not negligible as an evidence of movement on this route is also a find of a depot of bronze items, excavated precisely on the alignment of this traffic line.

Keywords: East Moravia, fortification, roads