What's in a Prague street name

Mojmírova was built in 1892.

Slavs started arriving on the territory of present-day Czechia in the 5th century; this was a gradual process, happening in several waves.

We know that a king called Sámo formed the first West Slavic state – Samo’s Empire, in the 600s (from 623 or 631 to 658). It was most likely centered on Moravia (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/02/14/prague-2-day-27-moravska/) and the Nitra region in present-day Slovakia (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2023/12/23/prague-3-day-185-nitranska/).

Historical sources are pretty silent on what happened in the 150+ years after the Empire fell, although it seems that settlements developed and tribes united with each other.

Meanwhile, from the west, Charlemagne was extending the borders of his Frankish Empire; this included a mission to Bohemia around 805, aiming to undermine local tribes.

The Principality of Moravia, meanwhile, was first mentioned in writing in 822; then, in 833, we have our first mention of Mojmír. It’s believed that he was responsible for uniting tribes from Moravia, western Slovakia and the surrounding areas. Some historians say he was a descendant of Sámo; others say he was of Persian origin.

In 833, Mojmír attacked the Principality of Nitra. This principality was either separate from Moravia at the time, or, under its duke, Pribina, was already part of Moravia but trying to break free.

In any case Mojmír was successful, and, from this point on, the principalities were definitively united, and known as Great Moravia. This is considered to be the first major Slavic state (sorry, Sámo).

Meanwhile, Pribina fled, seeking Frankish protection; however, he was a pagan, and Mojmír was on good terms with his western neighbours, so they gave Pribina a new territory to rule over – in Pannonia – but didn’t intervene against Great Moravia.

It seems that Mojmír accepted Christianity, and that it was during his reign that Moravia got its first churches.

In 846, Louis the German, grandson of Charlemagne, and first King of East Francia – a proto-Germany – invaded Great Moravia. Apparently, Mojmír died during this invasion; he was succeeded by his nephew, Rostislav (who we discussed yesterday: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2025/02/15/prague-4-day-35-rostislavova/).

Great Moravia itself would survive until about 907, reaching its greatest extent under Rostislav.