Ducal Rotunda of the Virgin Mary and St Catherine, Znojmo, Czech Republic

The Ducal Rotunda of the Virgin Mary and St Catherine is Znojmo's most valuable monument, and features one of the oldest fresco in the Czech lands. Particular importance of this painting is that besides the religious motives it displays also the praising portrayal of the ruling Přemyslid dynasty.

The painting was commissioned by Konrad II of Znojmo on the occasion of his wedding with Mary, daughter of Uroš of Serbia in 1134. Apart of the donor couple, Konrad and Mary, the identity of the other depicted members of the dynasty is disputed among the historians. With two exceptions being the Přemysl the Ploughman, the legendary ancestor of the dynasty, and Vratislaus I, the first King of Bohemia.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Petra Vesna (4 years ago)
Znojmo is rich in history. The rotunda is perched above a river valley with a view of a church across charming gardens, a dam in the valley, small castle nearby and a cafe patio.

Ken Rankin (4 years ago)
Very nice believe 11 century beautiful location well worth a look

Iv Gro (4 years ago)
Facilities are closed afer season. However from that point you will see quite stunning viewside

Rafal Wojtowicz (4 years ago)
nice building

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The initial Ozieri structure was abandoned or destroyed around 3000 BC, with traces of fire found in the archeological evidence. Around 2800 BC the remains of the original structure were completely covered with a layered mixture of earth and stone, and large blocks of limestone were then applied to establish a second platform, truncated by a step pyramid (36 m × 29 m, about 10 m in height), accessible by means of a second ramp, 42 m long, built over the older one. This second temple resembles contemporary Mesopotamian ziggurats, and is attributed to the Abealzu-Filigosa culture.

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The site appears to have been abandoned again around 1800 BC, at the onset of the Nuragic age.

The monument was partially reconstructed during the 1980s. It is open to the public and accessible by the old route of SS131 highway, near the hamlet of Ottava. It is 14,9 km from Sassari and 45 km from Alghero. There is no public transportation to the site. The opening times vary throughout the year.

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