Did Mieszko I really bear the name Mieszko? Did the princely court truly undergo baptism in 966? When did the Piasts emerge from the mists of history? Many seemingly simple questions about the beginnings of the “state of Mieszko” remain unanswered. During this micro-expedition we will present the origins of statehood very differently than textbooks do — the basis of this story is archaeological evidence. The first day of the micro-expedition is an encounter with the beginnings of Piast statehood full of unresolved puzzles. The second day is a journey through prehistory, a story about natural conditions in Kuyavia and Greater Poland, about the first farmers, the builders of the Biskupin stronghold and the Celts using fertile soils and brine springs. REGISTRATION: https://poludnik21.pl/wyprawy/tajemnice-pierwszych-piastow/ PROGRAM: DAY — 18.04.2026 (SATURDAY) - Meeting: 18.04.2026 (Saturday) at 6:30 AM in the parking lot in front of the Palace of Culture and Science (from the Kinoteka side). Departure at 6:40 toward Gniezno. Planned end of the trip: 19.04.2026 (Sunday) at the parking lot in front of the Palace of Culture and Science around 9:00 PM. - GNIEZNO — the first capital of Poland, the legendary stronghold of Lech. On the hill we will try to reconstruct the appearance of the Gniezno hill in times before Mieszko and Bolesław the Brave. Was this place a sacred hill in pre-Christian times? Tour of the Gniezno archcathedral, called the mother of Polish churches, with its famous Romanesque doors. - GRODZISKO IN GIECZ — visit the remains of one of the monumental Piast foundations, whose beginnings are dated to the 960s. We will tell what we know from historical and archaeological sources about the origins of the Polish state: where the Piasts came from and why Gall Anonim lists Giecz among the most important strongholds of Bolesław the Brave’s times. - OSTRÓW LEDNICKI — visit the remains of the palace and chapel from Mieszko I’s times on the island; a ferry crossing. We will discuss, among other things, the debate over the place and circumstances of the prince’s baptism and his court (Ostrów? Gniezno? Poznań?), attempt to reconstruct the baptismal ritual and talk about the beliefs of early Slavs, the famous bridges, offerings thrown into the lake’s depths and the latest archaeological discoveries investigating the depths of Lake Lednica. - Presentation of a warrior’s equipment from the early medieval period. - Accommodation at the 3-star hotel "Pietrak" in Wągrowiec (double rooms), dinner. - Evening lecture with slideshow: “Archaeological Eldorado — on the latest archaeological discoveries in Poland.” DAY — 19.04.2026 (SUNDAY) - Breakfast, check-out from the hotel. - ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM IN BISKUPIN — visit the reconstruction of the fortified settlement by Lake Biskupin. We will talk about the discovery and research (the role of Walenty Szwajcer, the work of Prof. Józef Kostrzewski), archaeological research methodology, datings, archaeology and high politics before and after World War II, the Bronze Age phenomenon, urnfield culture, the beginnings of the Iron Age, everyday life of the settlement’s inhabitants and the impact of climatic changes in prehistory. - INOWROCŁAW — in the city of the Piasts’ “white gold” we will visit the Romanesque church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and see mysterious stone reliefs; researchers debate whether these are Celtic influences from the late La Tène period, remnants of a pre-Christian temple or a Romanesque element. A quote from Jan Kasprowicz recalls the historical character of the place. - KRUSZWICA — photo stop in front of the legendary Mouse Tower on Lake Gopło; Piast legends as a valuable source of information. We will also stop at a Romanesque temple with a solar sign on its façade. - LUNCH (for those interested, paid additionally, approx. 60 PLN/person) - WIETRZYCHOWICE — visit the archaeological reserve created around a megalithic cemetery associated with the Funnel Beaker culture (the culture of the first farmers). Kuyavian tombs reach up to 150 m in length — we will tell about their functions, construction methods, funerary beliefs and customs and about the cultural “revolution” from about 5,500 years ago. PRICE: 660 PLN/person + cost of entrance tickets to visited sites (regular ticket: 69 PLN/person, reduced ticket: 55 PLN/person) + possible lunch costs. REGISTRATION: https://poludnik21.pl/wyprawy/tajemnice-pierwszych-piastow/ You are warmly invited!
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