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Krakow is the only
European city in which the tradition of building
burial mounds has survived since the prehistoric
times. They were erected as a demonstration of
affection and respect to important figures. Four
such mounds can be spotted on the Krakovian
landscape.
Perhaps the most
impressive of Krakow's four mounds is the one in
honour of Tadeusz Kosciuszki. A Polish and American
hero-he fought in the American War of Independence
and later returned to Poland where he led an
insurrection against the Russians. The mound is
composed of soil from the battlefields where he
fought (including soil from the U.S.). Created in
1820 an Austrian fort was subsequently built on the
site.
The Kopiec Kraka and
Kopiec Wandy are the oldest mounds in Krakow. The
consensus is that the Krakus and Wanda mounds are
dated to the 7th Century and are either ancient
monumental tombs, fortifications or pagan temples.
Legend has it this is
the burial mound of Krakus (the city's founder)
although scholars continue to contradict each other
with theories about it's authenticity.
There is evidence to
suggest pagan connections as both the Krakus and
Wanda mounds, along with two other natural Krakow
hills form a giant astronomical calendar.
From the westernmost
Sikornik mountain one can observe the sunrise
exactly over Wawel Hill on both the Spring and
Autumnal equinox....another argument to support
Krakow's mystical heritage.
The newest mound
created is that of Jozef Pilsudski and was erected
in 1936. The mound is composed of soil from the
battlefields in Poland from the period 1794 & 1945.
If you're looking for
something different to do in Krakow then searching
for the burial mounds could be a good alternative to
all the more popular tourist sights.
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