Google Maps Location Approx
Border Countries
🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇨🇿 Czechia
Nearest Cities
🇸🇰 Hodonín, 🇨🇿 Kopčany
Coordinates
48.80°N, 17.25°E
Border Type
Land crossing via road
Operating Hours
Open 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wait Times
15-60 min for pedestrians/vehicles
Peak Times
Mornings (7-10 AM)
Crossing Types
Pedestrians, vehicles
Daily Crossings
~3000 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
Slovak/Czech
Currency Exchange
Limited near Hodonín (EUR, CZK)
Connectivity Options
Basic 3G coverage
Accessibility Features
Ramps, assistance
Safety Information
Rural, minimal crime
Emergency Contacts
🇸🇰 112/155 🇨🇿 112/158
Google Maps Location Approx
Country Information
About 🇨🇿 Kopčany, 🇸🇰 Hodonín
A Historic Crossing of Emperors and Saints
The border crossing connecting the Czech city of Hodonín with the Slovak village of Kopčany is a journey through one of the most historically significant landscapes in Central Europe. This is not just a local road; it is a passage through the heart of the Great Moravian Empire, the first major Slavic state, and a land associated with the mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Since both Slovakia and the Czech Republic are members of the European Union and the Schengen Area, there are no permanent border controls. To cross here is to travel through a landscape of archaeological sites, ancient churches, and imperial history, a seamless passage over the Morava River that feels like a journey back in time.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connects the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic with Slovakia’s Trnava Region. It is a regional road, open 24/7, and used by local traffic, commuters, and a significant number of tourists interested in history and archaeology. The crossing is on a bridge over the Morava River. Traffic flows freely, and the only signs of the border are the standard blue EU signs. The area is a hub for cultural tourism, with numerous well-marked cycling and walking trails that crisscross the border.
A History of Great Moravia and the Velvet Divorce
The history of this crossing is profound. The area around Hodonín and Kopčany is believed to have been a major center of the Great Moravian Empire in the 9th century. The nearby archaeological site at Mikulčice is one of the most important Slavic settlements ever discovered. The church in Kopčany, St. Margaret of Antioch’s, is a pre-Romanesque church from the 9th or 10th century, making it one of the oldest standing churches in Central Europe and a direct link to this ancient empire. For centuries, this was a unified landscape. The “Velvet Divorce” in 1993 created a hard international border here, only for it to be erased again with the accession to the Schengen Area in 2007. The open border has allowed for the creation of a joint cross-border archaeological park, reuniting this historic landscape.
The Seamless Border Procedure
Today, there is no border procedure for travelers. You simply drive, cycle, or walk across the bridge. There are no passport checks and no customs inspections. This is the reality of the Schengen Area. However, it is important to remember that both Czech and Slovak police and customs authorities can and do perform random checks on vehicles anywhere in their territory, including near the former border. You are still required to carry a valid passport or national ID card with you at all times.
The Surrounding Region: Czech Side
On the Czech side, the main attraction is the Mikulčice-Valy archaeological park, a vast site that was a major fortified center of the Great Moravian Empire. The park has the foundations of a dozen churches and a princely palace. The city of Hodonín is the birthplace of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia. The region is also the heart of the Slovácko ethnographic region, known for its vibrant folk traditions and wine.
The Surrounding Region: Slovakia Side
On the Slovak side, the village of Kopčany is home to the incredible St. Margaret of Antioch’s Church, one of the only still-standing buildings from the Great Moravian era. The area is also home to the imperial stud farm at Kopčany, founded by the Habsburgs in the 18th century. The nearby town of Holíč has a massive, though dilapidated, Habsburg-era castle. The historic city of Skalica, with its well-preserved town center and Romanesque rotunda, is also a short drive away.
Practical Travel Information
Practical planning for this route is very simple. The most important thing is to have the required motorway vignettes if your journey involves motorways in either country. Both Slovakia and the Czech Republic use an electronic vignette system (`elektronická diaľničná známka`), which must be purchased online in advance. The official currencies are the Czech Koruna (CZK) in the Czech Republic and the Euro (EUR) in Slovakia. Both towns offer all necessary services. This crossing is particularly popular with cyclists, who can follow the well-marked trails that connect the major historical sites on both sides of the border.
Final Considerations
The Hodonín–Kopčany border crossing is a journey into the very origins of the Slavic nations of Central Europe. The open border has allowed for the reunification of a landscape of immense historical and archaeological importance. It is a journey that is remarkable for its complete lack of formality and for the wealth of cultural and historical opportunities it offers. It is a border that is not just crossed, but explored, a place where the deep history of the land is palpable, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Great Moravian Empire.