Current state of knowledge of high medieval fortifications in the Broumov region. The Benedictine Order as a builder of fortified settlements

Abstract

In the middle of the 13th century, the Broumov region (Bohemia) passed to the possession of the Benedictine Order (Břevnov Monastery in Prague). The centre of the area became Broumov, consisting of a town and a provostry, later a monastery. The Benedictine Order is associated with the high medieval colonization of the region. During the High Middle Ages, a system of villages and regularly measured-out elds was established here. However, the colonization activity of the Order also included the construction of several fortications, which perished relatively soon. The aim of the paper is to present the current state of research on the local medieval fortications. In addition to the well-known fortied provostry located in Broumov, there is a castle near Božanov. During the archaeological survey, two more hitherto unknown medieval fortications were recently discovered (near Šonov and Studená Voda)