Krakow mounds are elements of the landscape that definitely distinguish our city from other metropolises. 4 built-up structures have dominated the landscape of Krakow for many years. Almost all Cracovians know what Krakow’s mounds look like today. How many mounds actually existed in Krakow, what is their history, what did they look like years ago and how were they built? The photos below are taken from the National Digital Archives.
The History
The oldest mound in Kraków is the Wanda Mound. Located near Huta im. Tadeusz Sendzimir is 14 meters high, it was probably built in the 7th century. According to legend, it is the grave of Wanda, the daughter of Prince Krak. There is a sculpture of an eagle on the top.
A little later, the 16-meter Krakus Mound was to be built, which is located in the Podgórze district of Krakow, near the Liban quarry. Before World War II, the mound was dug up, examined by archaeologists, and then rebuilt. During the works, for many months, the mound looked like a volcano cone with a magnificent crater. Until the post-war years, the mound was surrounded by fortifications, which, unfortunately, have not survived to our times.
In the 19th century, another Krakow mound was created, which was called the Kościuszko Mound. Piled on the hill of St. Bronisława measures over 30 meters, it contains the lands from the battlefields of the Kościuszko Uprising. In the mid-19th century, the mound was surrounded by a fortification, which now houses, among others, a museum, a chapel and the seat of the RMF radio.
5 meters higher than the Kościuszko Mound is the Piłsudski Mound. It was erected on the Sowiniec hill in the Wolski Forest in the 1930s. Its construction has been perfectly captured in the photographs (please see the one above).
5, 6, 7, or…even 8 mounds?!
There are still, or have already been removed, slightly smaller mounds in Krakow. The several-meter-high Esterki Mound was to be located on the present premises of the Wawel sports club at ul. Glowacki. The Mound of the Republic of Krakow, which was located in the Planty Park at the entrance to the underpass leading to the Main Railway Station, has also disappeared from the map of Krakow. According to historians, there was still a so-called The Wawel Mound, which was removed by the Austrians at the beginning of the 19th century.
In 1997, the 7-meter high mound of John Paul II was built in Dębniki. Thus, we now officially have 5 mounds in Krakow.
A perfect walk for spring & autumn weather
If you wish to track and have a really nice walk, there is an Youtube video on that topic.
Virtual hike: Entrance to the 4 mounds of Krakow, Poland
🏞️ Route: Wanda Mound (226 m a.s.l; 50.070149, 20.068030 ) – Krakus Mound (245 m a.s.l; 50.038039, 19.958403) – Kościuszko Mound (293 m a.s.l; 50.054789, 19.893408) – Piłsudski Mound (355 m a.s.l; 50.060001, 19.847102)
🆔 Trail designation: green trail (Salwator – Piłsudski Mound)
📏 Length: about 5.7 km
⏲️ Walking time: about 1:50 h ↗️ Sum of approaches: 257 m ↘️ Sum down: 121 m
There is a tourist map you should also check and make sure you also drop by the Hiking Trails page for more info on the trail.
And you can always pop me a line and ask me anything about the mounds and the trails. I highly recommend them!
The Twisted Red LadyBug
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