Mikulov is a town in the Břeclav District in the South Moravian Region, 18 km west of Břeclav near the Drasenhofen border crossing with the Austrian federal state of Lower Austria. It has a population of approximately 7,600. The historic core is an urban conservation area. The Mikulov wine subregion is named after the town. The most famous monuments of the town include the Chapel of St. Sebastian with the bell tower on the Holy Hill, Mikulov Castle and the Dietrichstein tomb. The Jewish history of the town is also interesting. The origins of the Mikulov Jewish community date back to the period after 1421, when the Jews were expelled from Vienna and Lower Austria. Some of these refugees found refuge in Mikulov, which was located close to the provincial borders. Another influx of Jews occurred after their expulsion from the Moravian royal cities. Winemaking is also an integral part of Mikulov. The Romans brought grapevine cultivation to the Mikulov region, whose legions camped in the area of today's Nové Mlýny reservoirs. In the Middle Ages, winemaking continued to develop, so Mikulov soon became an important wine centre thanks to the excellent vineyard locations in the immediate vicinity of the city and in the surrounding villages. The local protected vineyards at the southern foot of Pálava are still among the warmest places in South Moravia.