Abstract Central Europe consists of a complex mosaic of more or less independent terranes with varying tectonometamorphic histories, usually also of different lithological compositions and protolith, and thus it is reasonable to suppose that the majority of these blocks have experienced somewhat different palaeogeographical evolution. The present terrane juxtaposition has been interpreted in general as a result of the Variscan collision of peri-Gondwanan and peri-Baltic derived terranes, with Gondwana on one side and Baltica and/or Laurentia on the other side. However, reconstruction of the pre-Variscan development and mutual palaeogeographical relationships remains a major challenge of interpretation.