A new Czech museum is a Palaeolithic treasure trove

Archeopark is a new concrete campus in the village of Pavlov, in the southern borders of the Czech Republic; created to house the area's rich archaeological findings

(Image credit: Gabriel Dvořák)

The excavation of a complex of settlements from the Palaeolithic era in Lower Vestonice and Pavlov in Southern Moravia, near the Czech-Austrian borders, revealed a number of stone and bone tools, art objects and human skeletal remains, worth decades of extensive research. Thanks to them, the area is one of the hottest archaeological sites in Europe. Many of these artefacts are now accessible to visitors, who can browse through the exciting historical discoveries in the newly opened Archeopark museum, in the village of Pavlov.

The architecture of the new museum, which hosts not only the significant archaeological findings, but also a prehistoric burial ground and extensive documentation of the everyday and spiritual life of the Palaeolithic people, is just like their culture: strongly rooted in the earth. Local architects Radko Květ and Pavel Pijácek envisioned the building as a partially underground space. Several concrete volumes, sharp skylights and openings peak above ground, marking the museum’s presence in the landscape, mimicking the prehistoric architecture of dolmens and menhirs.

A gradually narrowing corridor leads visitors underground, to the main museum hall. Its abstract decoration is inspired by prehistoric engravings, cut through the side of the concrete wall. Inside, this contemporary concrete-and-wood grotto is divided into two levels that create a complex subterranean landscape. From the main hall visitors can access smaller, often deliberately claustrophobic spaces, resembling caves, where displays continue. The museum's interactive digital exhibition by Brno-based graphic studio Pixl-e is complemented with murals by Czech illustrator Michal Bacák, as well as a relief by artist Petr Písarík.

The Pavlov museum may appear relatively modest and small in size, but it packs quite a punch – its significance reaching far beyond the geographical borders of its region.

Archeopark By Gabriel Dvorak — The largely-subterranean museum was designed by local architects Radko Květ and Pavel Pijácek, who envisioned several concrete volumes peaking above ground, marking its presence

A gradually narrowing corridor leads visitors underground

Digital exhibition design — The structure is split into two levels and features interactive digital exhibition design by Brno-based graphics studio Pixl-e

Caustrophobic spaces that&nbsp;resemble&nbsp;caves — Several smaller, often deliberately claustrophobic spaces that resemble caves, host further displays

Prehistoric burial ground and extensive documentation — The exhibits include significant archaeological findings, but also a prehistoric burial ground and extensive documentation of the everyday and spiritual life of the Palaeolithic people

INFORMATION

For more information, visit Radko Květ’s website

ADDRESS

Archeopark Pavlov
23. dubna 264
691 29 Pavlov
Czech Republic

VIEW GOOGLE MAPS

Adam Štěch is an architectural historian, curator, writer and photographer, based in Prague. He is the author of books including Modern Architecture and Interiors (2006), editor of design magazine Dolce Vita and a contributor to titles including Wallpaper* and Frame, while also teaching at Scholastika in Prague.