Anthropos Pavilion, Brno

The Anthropos Pavilion in Brno is a key component of the Moravian Museum (Moravské Zemské Muzeum), dedicated to showcasing the earliest history of Europe and humankind. Located on the right bank of the river Svratka in the Pisárky district of Brno, the museum offers a deep dive into prehistoric times through its permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The permanent exhibition is divided into three sections, showcasing the ancient history of human settlement in Moravia and Europe. A life-size mammoth model offers a tangible link to the prehistoric past. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, including a notable 2009 Paleolithic art display featuring the Venus of Willendorf and the Venus of Dolní Věstonice, with the former shown outside Austria for the first time.

The origins of the Anthropos Pavilion date back to 1928, when archaeologist Karel Absolon presented his findings on the earliest human settlements at the Brno Exhibition Centre in a solo exhibition titled ''Man and his Ancestry''. This exhibition garnered support from prominent figures like the first Czechoslovak president Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and entrepreneur Tomáš Baťa. However, plans to establish an independent institute were delayed due to the financial crisis and the outbreak of World War II.

It was not until the 1950s that Absolon's vision began to materialize, thanks to his successor, Jan Jelínek, an archaeologist and then Director of the Moravian Museum. Jelínek successfully advocated for the construction of an independent pavilion in Brno-Pisárky, which was finally opened to the public in 1961. The pavilion underwent significant renovations between 2003 and 2006 and was reopened to the public in 2006, continuing its mission to educate and inspire visitors with the ancient history of humankind.