4 May 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

A Medieval Barbican and a Network of Passages Uncovered in Western Slovakia’s town of Trenčín

A medieval barbican (fortified outpost or fortified gateway), and a network of passages that acted as a sewerage system have been uncovered in western Slovakia’s town of Trenčín. At the time, the site would have been part of the Kingdom of Hungary.

The discovery, made during a revitalization project of the city’s pedestrian zone, and the remnants of the city’s medieval castle system, which shed new light on its defensive structures, are well-preserved, reports My Trenčín.

Archaeologist Drahoslav Hulínek, head of the excavation on Sládkovičova Street said that the discovery will allow researchers to reconstruct the plan for the town’s early fortifications.

“A bridge spanned the moat, leading to an entrance portal,” Hulínek said. “The walls extended on either side towards the gate, which featured another tower-like structure—its remains are visible on the floor plan,” he explained.

From the beginning of Sládkovičova Street, where a tower and moat once stood, the barbican, a crucial defensive feature, extended.

Photo: Maroš Buchel

The structure is one of the most important pre-castle fortifications in the former Kingdom of Hungary, demonstrating the strategic significance of Trenčín during the Middle Ages. The barbican is associated with King Sigismund of Luxembourg, a devout Catholic who ruled during the Hussite raids, a string of battles and military expeditions in Central Europe in the early 15th century that were named for Jan Hus, a Czech reformer who opposed the Catholic Church.

The barbican’s walls were not the only thing discovered during the excavation. They also discovered a system of underground passageways and tunnels that were mainly used as a medieval sewer system.

Archaeologists have discovered significant quantities of late medieval pottery and glass dating from the medieval to the modern period. Remains of houses dating from the 15th to the 19th century were also found.

The main phase of the research has been completed. Once a busy street with homes up until the 1970s, the location now provides a unique window into Trenčín’s past.

Cover Image Credit: Archaeologists Alexej Skutin and Drahoslav Hulínek during excavations on Sládkovičova Street. Photo: MAROŠ BUCHEL

Related Articles

Archaeologists Discovered Medieval Silver Communion Set and 70 Silver Coins in Hungary

16 June 2024

16 June 2024

A 14th-century silver communion set (chalice and wafer holder) and a treasure trove of 70 silver coins were discovered in...

Magical Roman Phallus Wind Chime Unearthed in Serbia

15 November 2023

15 November 2023

Archaeologists have unearthed a Roman phallus wind chime known as a tintinnabulum, during excavations at the ancient city of Viminacium...

New Discovery Challenges Origins of Iconic Sutton Hoo Helmet: It Could Radically Alter Our Understanding of 7th Century Northern European Power Dynamics

28 March 2025

28 March 2025

A recent find on the Danish island of Tåsinge has sparked a significant reevaluation of the origins of the renowned...

Significant Archaeological Discovery on Failaka Island: Hellenistic Courtyard and Building Unearthed

17 February 2025

17 February 2025

The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) has announced a remarkable archaeological find on Failaka Island, revealing a...

World’s Oldest Place Name Signs

4 February 2021

4 February 2021

Throughout the history of the world, our interest and curiosity in ancient cultures and lives continue to increase day by...

The 11-meter giant statue of the island of Naxos “Dionysus of Apollonas”

22 March 2023

22 March 2023

One of the two ancient marble quarries, thought to have begun the sculpture, the greatest art of antiquity, is located...

The remains of a very uncommon’ dinosaur species have been discovered in Brazil

20 November 2021

20 November 2021

Researchers have uncovered the remains of a toothless, two-legged dinosaur species that lived 70 million years ago in Brazil, calling...

Hussar Armor From The 17th Century Found By Metal Detectorist In Poland

8 April 2024

8 April 2024

A 17th-century Hussar armor was found in a field in the village of Mikułowice in the Opatów region in southeastern...

Archaeologists Unearthed Third Greatest Fire Temple Existing in Ancient Iran’s Sassanid Era

11 July 2022

11 July 2022

Archaeologists have unearthed ruins of what they believe to be the third-greatest fire temple in ancient Iran during the Sassanid...

New study investigates the development of the Scandinavian gene pool over the latest 2000 years

5 January 2023

5 January 2023

A new study resolves the complex relations between geography, ancestry, and gene flow in Scandinavia – encompassing the Roman Age,...

Earthquakes caused slight damage to Hatay Archeology Museum

10 February 2023

10 February 2023

The Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued a press release on the latest status of museums and...

A 4000-Year-Old Trading Port was Discovered in Istanbul

4 May 2021

4 May 2021

Archaeological excavations carried out on a peninsula in the middle of Istanbul Küçükçekmece Lake unearthed a very important 4,000-year-old trade...

Statue of Roman Emperor Hadrianus found in western Turkey

14 September 2021

14 September 2021

Excavations in the ancient city of Alabanda in the western province of Aydin have uncovered pieces of the statue of...

New Insights From Researchers About The World’s Longest Aqueduct

11 May 2021

11 May 2021

The Roman Empire’s aqueducts are magnificent specimens of the art of architecture. Although centuries have passed since these aqueducts were...

A Unique 2000-Year-Old Oil Lamp Found in Israel

5 May 2021

5 May 2021

Archaeologists have discovered a rare 2,000-year-old oil lamp in David, Jerusalem. Archaeologists have discovered a rare oil lamp, shaped like...