Pezinok's past uncovered

THIS postcard, dating from the mid-1960s, depicts a section of Holubyho Street in Pezinok, which is located in the town’s historical centre. Let’s focus on the big house in the middle on the right. Although at first sight it may not look like anything special, this is one of the oldest buildings in Pezinok.

THIS postcard, dating from the mid-1960s, depicts a section of Holubyho Street in Pezinok, which is located in the town’s historical centre. Let’s focus on the big house in the middle on the right. Although at first sight it may not look like anything special, this is one of the oldest buildings in Pezinok.

In 2006, archaeological research was conducted here that brought to light a lot of fascinating information about the town. Thanks to the excavation, we now have a better idea of how people in Pezinok lived about half a millennium ago, as well as what the town looked like in those days. For example, there was a stream flowing through this building’s backyard; today, there is no trace of it. In the yard, two wooden casks were found containing remnants of lime and animal bones. The casks were embedded in the earth and in all likelihood were used for tanning. Later, lime was made in them. There were also signs of smaller farming-related buildings, a lime-pit, a well and a structure made of wood and earthen material. Apart from a lot of pottery, the archaeological dig also unearthed numerous arrowheads.

Perhaps the most noteworthy discovery was represented by the stone walls of the building, which were found to date back to the 15th, or possibly 14th, century. This finding turned on its head the previously held belief that Pezinok, as well as other smaller towns in the area, during the Middle Ages consisted solely of dwellings made from wood or wood and earthen material.

As it turns out, stone burgher structures, like this one, were characteristic of towns with highly developed societies of craftsmen and tradesmen.

Top stories

Slovakia marks 20 years since joining NATO.

Slovakia marks 20 years in the Alliance.


Daniel Hoťka and 1 more
Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad