Krakus Mound and Wanda Mound, Krakow
The mysterious Krakus Mound in Krakow. Photo by Christopher Walker.
The Krakus Mound. Photo by sz.u.
A closer look at the Krakus Mound. Photo by Christopher Walker.
Panoramic view from the Krakus Mound. Photo by sz.u.
The Wanda Mound. Photo by sz.u.
Closer look at the Wanda Mound. Photo by sz.u.
The Krakus Mound (Kopiec Krakusa) and Wanda Mound (Kopiec Wandy) in Krakow are mysterious, prehistoric man-made hills, each about 50 feet high and about 6 miles apart.
Like their distant (and perhaps older) counterparts Stonehenge and Newgrange, the Krakow Mounds are astronomically aligned. Looking from the Krakus Mound on the eve of the Celtic celebration of the sun (May 1), the sun rises exactly over the Wanda Mound. On the Celtic New Year (November 1), the Sikornik Mountain overlooks the sunrise above the Krakus Mound.
Historians and scholars have given differing interpretations of the intriguing grassy humps, ranging from burial sites to fortifications to pagan temples. As of yet, no bones have been found in the mounds.
According to the Medieval chronicler of Kraków, Jan Dlugosz, the mounds were erected to commemorate the legendary first ruler of Kraków - Krak, from whom the city derives its name - and his daughter Wanda, who (another legend says) chose to jump into the Vistula River rather than marry a foreigner.
Taking a cue from their ancient predecessors, modern Krakovians have raised two additional mounds in the city as well. The first was the Kopiec Kosciuszki (Kosciuszko Mound), erected 1813-20 atop Sikornik Hill. Raised during Austrian occupation, it is sacred to the memory of Tadeusz Kosciuszko who fought for the freedom of Poland. The mound incorporates earth from battlefields where the general fought.
The fourth mound is Kopiec Pilsudskiego, near to Kopiec Kosciuszki. It was erected between 1934 and 1937 to commemorate Marshal Pilsudski (1867-1935), the leader of the revived Polish state.
On Sunday afternoons and major holidays, a distinctly Krakovian ritual takes place: families complete with grandparents and toddlers, many in their Sunday best, strolling along the walking path that follows the gentle slope of Sikornik Hill.
| Names: | Krakow Mounds; Kopiec Krakusa; Krakus Mound; Kopiec Wandy; Wanda Mound |
| Type of site: | Ancient mound |
| Faith: | Celtic |
| Dates: | Unknown |
| Hours: | Always open |
| Cost: | Free |
Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Krakus Mound. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Krakow Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Fodor's Poland, 1st. ed. (May 2007).
- Cracow's Hallowed Humps - Cracow Life
- Krakow Mounds - Krakow Info
