Mušov, Abandoned village with hermitage near Pasohlávky, Czech Republic
Mušov is an abandoned village with a hermitage situated on an island within the Nové Mlýny reservoir, where St Leonard's Church remains the only standing structure. The former settlement site sits surrounded by water, making it difficult to access directly, though the church stands as the last tangible remains of the community that once lived there.
The settlement first appeared in records in 1267 and remained inhabited through the centuries until the construction of the Nové Mlýny reservoirs sealed its fate. Between 1981 and 1987, the entire village sank beneath the water, leaving only the church as a silent witness to its past.
St Leonard's Church shows Gothic modifications from the 14th century, reflecting how the residents updated their place of worship over time. The building opens to visitors during summer months and provides a window into the spiritual life of this submerged community.
The site sits on an island and can be difficult to reach directly; most visitors view it from nearby Pasohlávky or visit by boat. The ATC Merkur camping site in Pasohlávky features an exhibition about Roman history in the area and serves as a helpful starting point to learn more about the region's past.
A significant Roman military fort once stood here, housing the Tenth Legion with purpose-built barracks and bathing facilities featuring hypocaust heating systems. These ancient Roman structures reveal that the location held strategic importance centuries before the medieval village took root.
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