Hradiště u Černovic

Hradiště u Černovic is a prehistoric and early medieval hillfort perched on a hill 594 meters above sea level, northwest of the village of Černovice in the Chomutov district of the Czech Republic. The summit plateau, covering 4.77 hectares and including an exposed rock face from a former quarry, was declared a protected natural monument in 1985.

What can visitors see on the hill?

The summit plateau still preserves sections of defensive ramparts along with remains of past settlements — traces of dwellings, earthen embankments and hewn stone blocks mark the successive waves of occupation that shaped this place. The ramparts wrap around most of the plateau, giving a clear sense of the original fortified layout. The exposed rock face left by the disused quarry adds a geological dimension to the site, which is why it enjoys dual protection — both as an archaeological monument and as a natural one.

How far back does the site's history go?

The earliest traces of settlement on the plateau date to the Neolithic period, roughly 5,000–4,000 years BC. The hillfort itself, however, was fortified much later, in the 10th century BC, by people of the Knovíz culture. After that culture faded, the site was abandoned or only sporadically inhabited, before being resettled intensively during the hillfort period, from the 8th to the 10th century AD.

What have archaeologists found here?

Excavations have yielded early medieval ceramic fragments, including pottery from the early fortified phase (around 670/680 AD to the end of the 8th century) and from the middle fortified phase (800–950 AD). These finds trace the development of Slavic fortified settlement on this hill across several centuries, from its first fortifications to the peak of activity in the 9th and early 10th centuries.

Why is this place worth a visit?

Hradiště u Černovic layers thousands of years of history in one spot — from Neolithic settlers, through Knovíz-culture warriors, to the Slavic builders of fortified strongholds. Walking across the plateau, visitors can still make out the contours of the old ramparts and picture how life unfolded on this hilltop across different eras. For those interested in geology, the exposed rock face inside the former quarry offers an additional point of interest within the protected natural monument.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Hradiště u Černovic located? On a hill 594 meters above sea level, northwest of the village of Černovice, in the Chomutov district of the Czech Republic.

Since when has the site been protected? It was declared a natural monument in 1985, covering an area of 4.77 hectares on the summit plateau.

How old is this hillfort? Traces of settlement go back to the Neolithic (5,000–4,000 BC), while the actual fortifications date from the 10th century BC (Knovíz culture) and from the 8th–10th centuries AD (Slavic settlement).

What can be seen on site today? Remnants of defensive ramparts, traces of former dwellings, hewn stone blocks, and an exposed rock face from a former quarry.

Is this a good destination for a hike? Yes, the hill and its hillfort plateau are a popular destination for nature and archaeology walks in the region.