Touring Archeological Hill Fort Molpír in Smolenice.

The number of archeological discoveries in the surroundings of Smolenica village, which is the centre of the area lying under the Little Carphatians, proves continuous settlement of this land in the past. The most siginificant proof of this hypothesis is the archeological site Molpír located on a hill opposite the Smolenický Castle. Remains of a settlement from the Bronze period and a traco-scythian hill fort were discovered there, as well as remains of a Celtic hill fort from Hallstatt period, covering an area of 12 ha. An important discovery was uncovering of the burial places from the Great Moravia period. The oldest traces at Molpír were left by people in the late Stone period. However, the hill was turned into a hill fort only at the end of the 7th century B.C.. The hill fort consisted of three sections – two courtyards and the highest located acropolis. In individual sections of the hill fort were accessed by three-metre wide gates with wooden extensions. The dwellings were located in the upper courtyard and acropolis and at the place of the acropolis there was a sanctuary. The hill fort was not only the centre of power but also crafts. It was a workplace of potters, blacksmiths, textile producers, etc. After the hallstatt hill fort stopped to exist, Celts built a new fortress here using the original ramparts in the middle of the 2nd century B.C. At the turn of the 2nd and 1st centuries, the Celtic hill fort ceased to exist. Other significant period of Molpír area started at the beginning of the 9th century. The old fortifications were occupied by Slavonians. The hill fort became a part of a hill forts network located on the eastern hillsides of the Little Carpathians. Its significance in this period is proved by number of found artefacts and their nature. Within the archeological area, one can admire remains of stone walls, stone-earth ramparts, gates and towers. The area is divided into three courtyards where several information boards are located. There is an amazing view of Záruby peak, Hlboče valley and part of Trnava highlands from the upper part of the hill fort. The easiest access to the hill fort is by the Smolenický kras educational path directly from the Smolenice church. The exposition of the archeological discoveries from the Molpír hill fort can be seen in the also in the Molpír Museum located in the building of the old parish house in Smolenice.

 

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