Petrov Plže

Useful Information

Location:	At Petrov. From Hodonin towards Straznice, at Petrov turn right. Signposted.
Open:	All year daily. [2010]
Fee:	free. [2010]
Classification:	Cellar
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	A=179 m asl.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Obec Petrov, Petrov 113, 696 65 Petrov, Tel: +420-518-335620. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Vinné sklípky (Wine cellars) are also called Plže. Plž is a term which is used to describe a special design of wine cellar, which is typical for this area. Ten to 17 meter long cellars are reached from a foreroom through a passage called šija (neck). A special processing room is used for the extraction of the grapejuice. It is also equipped with a table and benches for the owner and his friends, to enjoy a glass of wine.

The Plže at Petrov are unique for their originality and visual character. There are 63 objects of various ages, all of them grouped around a sort of central square in a semi circle. Actually a result of the advantageous geologic situation which allowed for the simple excavation of the cellars. Actualy they are not exactly underground, they were build by digging an open pit, then building the vaults with bricks. Finally they were covered by a thick layer of soil, the material which was excavated at first.

Pretty astonishing is the look of the entrances, which are somewhat like a facade with a huge green door. The walls are painted white, often with the typical floral designs which are typical for local artisans. The result has sometimes been compareed to Tolkiens Hobbit houses.

Petrov is a hamlet on the main road from Hodonin and not far from Straznice. There are about 20 private skeley or wine caves. These highly decorated, white washed, archways lead to wine cellars over two hundred years old. Entrance is free and the owners offer you free samples of wine. A cavers dream? Not quite. Visitors are expected to buy bottles of wine. There are similar skeley at Polesovice 12 km north and at Mutenice 15 km west and another at Prusanky.

Text by Tony Oldham (2002). With kind permission.