iDNES: Adjustments Awaiting the Surroundings of Methodius' Grave; The Celebrations will Offer a Spectacular Projection

23. 4. 2013

This year's weather has delayed the works. However, according to the mayor of Uherské Hradiště, Květoslav Tichavsky, they will be finished before the celebrations. Before Hradiště begins to adjust the important yet neglected locality at the outskirts of the city and, above all, to build a road leading to that place, it needs to be investigated by archaeologists.

"We began to overburden the arable land in March already but, unfortunately, the works had to be interrupted due to bad weather," said Miroslav Vaškových, archaeologist of the Museum of Moravian Slovakia. Heavy machinery, which will expose the first layer of the soil, would create deep rails in the muddy soil. Therefore, the works will be continued only next Monday.

How long the archaeological research in the locality of the future road will take place will depend on whether archaeological probes find something historically significant in the soil under the future road. In that case the work of experts would take longer. "In any case, we will spend, for sure, at least four weeks there," estimated Vaškových.

Experts also want to explore the locality, which is by some of them believed to be the place of Methodius' grave, into the depth of almost one meter and a half. "It is not necessary to go deeper. This depth was sufficient to discover the burial ground and the foundations of a church from the 9th century," the archaeologist explained.

Hradišťan will perform at the celebrations. Will the pope arrive?

As soon as the people from the Museum of Moravian Slovakia have finished their work, construction adjustments will take place. The fundamental one being the access road. "Apart from that, the place has to be supplied with electricity, so that it could be lit and a sound system could be installed there," said mayor Tichavský. The city will also place new benches, litter bins and information panels there.

Within the celebrations of the arrival of the missionaries an extraordinary program is in plan at the highland of Sadska výšina. A large-area projection with visual effects will be part of it, as well as a concert of dulcimer band Hradišťan and a performance of members of the Great Moravian Association. New Pope Francis will perhaps be among the viewers. Organizers of the July celebrations in the region, which will culminate in the traditional pilgrimage at Velehrad, sent him an invitation right after his inauguration. However, they do not know the opinion of the pope yet (for more, click here).

One of the most significant deposits, which is currently most frequently used by dog owners and sometimes somebody creates an illegal garbage dump there, should have a more dignified shape and use in the future. On the area of 44 hectares around it, cultural-recreational premises should emerge. In the middle, there should be a sculptural group depicting the missionaries and an archaeological museum and a natural playground.

Recently, a computer game about the missionaries has emerged. It is partly taking place in the locality of the highland of Sadska výšina as well as in other places in that region.

Authoress: Jitka Voglová