Kopčany: Hotels between the Stud Farm and Great Moravia

Kopčany combines a significant stud farm, Great Moravian sacred history and the cross-border Mikulčice–Kopčany Archaeopark. Between museums, archaeological sites, baroque landscapes and cycling trails, a multifaceted picture emerges of a place whose sights bring together different eras and themes.

Culture

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 created. Today, it houses an ethnographic museum exhibition, a museum of the old stable, a visitor centre and an information centre. During the summer tourist season, the stud farm is open to visitors and tourists; guided tours are also available.

The museum in Kopčany is located on the ground floor of the stud farm building, in a former renovated chapel. Its content focuses on the results of archaeological research in the municipality, particularly the recent research at the Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch. Museum visits must be arranged in advance. Another testament to the area’s economic history is Kačenáreň, a reconstructed farm building associated with F. Š. Lotrinský; the reconstruction was completed in 2022. Originally, Kačenáreň was part of an economic complex for catching wild waterfowl, created by the Dutch specialist Jacob Bodes.

History

The Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch is the only surviving sacred structure from the Great Moravian period in Central Europe. It dates back to the 9th century and is located in the area known as “Za jazerom pri svätej Margite” in the cadastral territory of Kopčany. The area surrounding the church is part of the cross-border Mikulčice–Kopčany Archaeopark. In the context of Central-Eastern Europe from the 8th to the 10th century, the Mikulčice–Kopčany agglomeration is an area of exceptional and unique value.

From the Slavic hillfort in Mikulčice, the Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch is easily accessible to pedestrians and cyclists via the Great Moravia Bridge. This bridge was built and opened in 2019 over the border river Morava. High-quality cycling trails run through the Kopčany heritage zone, connecting Skalica via Holíč and the Great Moravia Bridge with Mikulčice. Guided tours of the Kopčany heritage zone are available from September to June by prior arrangement.

Archaeology

The Kopčany heritage zone preserves a significant group of archaeological sites dating from the 9th to the 10th century. The Kopčany Archaeopark also includes a winding section of the Great Moravian Road. Two viewpoints are located in the landscape of the Mikulčice–Kopčany Archaeopark.

The history and architecture of the area are brought together in several guided tours. The “Monuments of Great Moravia” 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 Great Moravia Bridge and the Slavic hillfort centre in Mikulčice. The “Experience the Baroque Landscape” tour includes a visit to the stud farm and its architecture, a chapel with the current exhibition “Odievanie v premenách času”, a multimedia presentation of the functional baroque landscape and the representative part of the château.

Things to do

Sports activities and events are also part of the local scene. A cycling route listed by TIK Skalica runs from Skalica via Holíč and Kopčany back to Skalica and is 25 kilometres long. The Kopčany riding arena can be rented by individuals and is also used for riding courses and competitions. The traditional Hubertova jazda offers an extensive themed programme.

If you would like to explore the surrounding area further, you can also visit Skalica, Vrádište, Kátov, Lopašov and Holíč.

To the higher-level travel overview: Skalica.