Krakus Mound (Polish: kopiec Krakusa), also called the Krak Mound, is a tumulus located in the Podgórzedistrict of Kraków, Poland; thought to be the resting place of Kraków's mythical founder, the legendary King Krakus. It is located on Lasota Hill, approximately 3 kilometres (2 mi) south of Kraków's city centre, at an altitude of 271 metres (889 ft), with a base diameter of 60 metres (197 ft) and a height of 16 metres (52 ft).[1] Together with nearby Wanda Mound, it is one of Kraków's two prehistoric mounds as well as the oldest man-made structure in Kraków.[2] Nearby are also two other non-prehistoric, man-made mounds, Kościuszko Mound, constructed in 1823, and Piłsudski's Mound, completed in 1937.[3] These four make up Kraków's four memorial mounds.
Krakus' Mound
1933 archeological investigation of the Krakus Mound
History
The age and the original purpose of the mound remain a mystery, although religious and memorial purposes have been ascribed to the mounds.[4]Excavations conducted in mid-1930s revealed that the mound consists of a solid wooden core covered with soil and turf. Some artifacts dating from between the 8th and 10th centuries were found inside, but no human remains or bones were discovered. According to another hypothesis the mound is of Celtic origin and dates from the 2nd-1st century BCE.[5] Mythical origins are also connected to the mound. Krakus is said to have been constructed to honour the death of King Krakus when mourning townspeople filled their sleeves with sand and dirt and brought it to the site of the Krakus Mound to create a mountain that would rule over the rest of the landscape, as King Krakus had. Originally, four smaller mounds ringed the Krakus Mound, but they were demolished in the 19th century to create Kraków's city wall.[2]
Krakus Mound in winter
Similar to other ancient structures, such as Stonehenge, the Krakus Mound may have been constructed with astronomy in mind.[5] If one stands on the Krakus Mound and looks towards Wanda Mound at sunrise on the morning of Beltane, the second-largest Celtic feast day, one will see the sun rise directly over Wanda Mound.
Until the mid-1830s, a folk festival was held annually on the first Tuesday after Easter on the slopes of the Krakus Mound. It's been revived in the 2000s and is being held annually again.
krakus, mound, coordinates, 03833, 95833, 03833, 95833, polish, kopiec, krakusa, also, called, krak, mound, tumulus, located, podgórze, district, kraków, poland, thought, resting, place, kraków, mythical, founder, legendary, king, krakus, located, lasota, hill. Coordinates 50 02 18 N 19 57 30 E 50 03833 N 19 95833 E 50 03833 19 95833 Krakus Mound Polish kopiec Krakusa also called the Krak Mound is a tumulus located in the Podgorze district of Krakow Poland thought to be the resting place of Krakow s mythical founder the legendary King Krakus It is located on Lasota Hill approximately 3 kilometres 2 mi south of Krakow s city centre at an altitude of 271 metres 889 ft with a base diameter of 60 metres 197 ft and a height of 16 metres 52 ft 1 Together with nearby Wanda Mound it is one of Krakow s two prehistoric mounds as well as the oldest man made structure in Krakow 2 Nearby are also two other non prehistoric man made mounds Kosciuszko Mound constructed in 1823 and Pilsudski s Mound completed in 1937 3 These four make up Krakow s four memorial mounds Krakus Mound 1933 archeological investigation of the Krakus MoundHistory EditThe age and the original purpose of the mound remain a mystery although religious and memorial purposes have been ascribed to the mounds 4 Excavations conducted in mid 1930s revealed that the mound consists of a solid wooden core covered with soil and turf Some artifacts dating from between the 8th and 10th centuries were found inside but no human remains or bones were discovered According to another hypothesis the mound is of Celtic origin and dates from the 2nd 1st century BCE 5 Mythical origins are also connected to the mound Krakus is said to have been constructed to honour the death of King Krakus when mourning townspeople filled their sleeves with sand and dirt and brought it to the site of the Krakus Mound to create a mountain that would rule over the rest of the landscape as King Krakus had Originally four smaller mounds ringed the Krakus Mound but they were demolished in the 19th century to create Krakow s city wall 2 Krakus Mound in winter Similar to other ancient structures such as Stonehenge the Krakus Mound may have been constructed with astronomy in mind 5 If one stands on the Krakus Mound and looks towards Wanda Mound at sunrise on the morning of Beltane the second largest Celtic feast day one will see the sun rise directly over Wanda Mound Until the mid 1830s a folk festival was held annually on the first Tuesday after Easter on the slopes of the Krakus Mound It s been revived in the 2000s and is being held annually again The view from the top of Krakus MoundSee also EditWanda Mound legendary grave of Krakus daughter Kosciuszko Mound in Krakow Pilsudski Mound in Krakow Media related to Krak Mound at Wikimedia CommonsReferences Edit The Krakus Mound monument in Podgorze Krakow at www cracowonline com a b Poland Krakow sightseeing Podgorze Places of Interest Krakus Mound at In Your Pocket com Kopce w Krakowie at e Krakow com in Polish Krakow mounds at Krakow Info com a b Krakow Mounds Krakus amp Wanda Krakow Poland at Sacred Destinations 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Krakus Mound amp oldid 1130472670, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
