Once a village, today part of Krakow - the ancient mound and old cottages in Mogiła.

Did you know that the oldest architectural monuments in Krakow are two mounds? Legends say they were raised to commemorate the mythical ruler Krak and his daughter Wanda. In fact, scientists are not sure of their creation's date or exact function, so for centuries, they have been excellent fodder for human imagination. I've written about this on hive several times; today want to remind you a little bit information about Wanda's mound, located in the former village Mogiła. I very much enjoy walking in this area. The village was incorporated into the city in 1951 as part of the new industrial district of Krakow - Nowa Huta. In place of the old cottages and fields grew, among other things, a massive steel mill, but there are still places here that remember the distant past.

Let me quote part of my own text (published on hive in 2020 here):

(...) in the former village Mogiła (which means "tomb"), located near the Vistula, there is a mysterious mound. It was probably erected in the 7th-8th centuries; but didn't appear in written sources until the 13th century under the name "Tumba Clara", which means "Holy Sepulchre". From the 15th century, the mound was officially called the Wanda Mound.

Who was Wanda?

Wanda was the daughter of the mythical city's founder, Krak (or Krakus). After his death, she became queen. She was beautiful, wise, and just, and her fame stretched far beyond the country's borders. The German prince Rydygier (Rittiger) wanted to marry her. He threatened to attack Krakow if Wanda refused. Wanting to save her subjects from the war, the young queen committed suicide by throwing herself into the Vistula. When the water threw her body ashore, her subjects buried her there and formed a mound.

Thus, this inconspicuous mound less than 15 meters high, squeezed between a metallurgical plant and transportation hub, still hides a mystery. It is all the more fascinating because there are complex astronomical correlations between it and the Krakus Mound, located 8.6 kilometers away. So they must have been deliberately created in these specific locations.

As for the surroundings and the views from the mound, they are not very attractive. As I mentioned, right next to it spreads the area of the steel mill. It's really a miracle that the mound was not destroyed during the frenzy of industrialization.

I, however, really like this place - it is quiet and rarely visited, especially outside the summer season.

A view from the mound to the roof of the 13th-century Cistercian monastery, another monument on the site of the former Mogiła village.

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After visiting Wanda, it's worth taking a walk along the small Dlubnia River, which flows into the Vistula a few kilometers away. The surrounding area has retained its rural character. You can come across old wayside shrines, more than century-old cottages, and farm buildings.

On some houses you can still find old plaques with the address in effect until the late 1940s.

Even ordinary huts had beautiful finishes, such as woodcarving details.

Some historic houses are abandoned, and others show signs of daily life. Some of the old buildings have been beautifully restored, but I don't have many pictures. I feel uncomfortable taking pictures of houses where someone lives; it's like looking through the window of someone's home.

One of the roadside shrines. The inscription on the pedestal says it was restored in 1928, so it's certainly from the 19th century.

The landscape in a winter devoid of snow may not be as beautiful as in other seasons, but I like nature in all its forms. First of all, there is peace and space here.

I returned to civilization walking through a small Mogiła forest.

And then I went along the vast Nowa Huta Meadows, a valuable ecosystem under natural protection. As recently as the 18th century, the Vistula River flowed through here; today, the area is still wetland.

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Finishing my walk, I came across such a find. It's also history, although a bit more recent. It's the Fiat 126 p, affectionately known as Maluch (which means The Little One). Production began in the 1970s and ended in 2000. Today this car is associated with the communist era, but it is also held in great fondness by Poles.

No one has driven in this one for a long time :)

Looks like this is my first post on hive this year 😊 See you next time!

Happy New Year 💚

_{--- Thanks for stopping by! --- @astinminI'm the only author of the text and photos}