Motte in Zabrze-Mikulczyce

The motte (conical stronghold) in Zabrze-Mikulczyce is the remnant of a late medieval stronghold from the 13th to the 15th century, located in the northern part of Zabrze, on a terrace in the valley of the Mikulczycki stream. It is an earth mound, today heavily overgrown with trees.

What the stronghold looked like

The mound is circular, about 37 metres in diameter, and its base covers about 12 ares. On the east it was surrounded by a moat. A wooden log tower with a defensive and residential function stood here, surrounded by a wooden palisade or fence, and the mound was reinforced with piles or fascines.

Archaeological research

In 1970-1972 excavations were carried out here by Werner Pierzynia, Krzysztof Sobczyk and Bolesław Ginter, commissioned by the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom and the Jagiellonian University. They confirmed the dating, and under the mound traces of a flint-working workshop of the Swiderian culture from the Late Palaeolithic were discovered, along with isolated flints that may come from the Mesolithic Komornica culture.

Present state

The area is densely overgrown with trees and damaged, especially at the top, where there are numerous pits and losses. This is an archaeological site to be viewed from the outside, without tourist infrastructure. In the area you can visit the Municipal Botanical Garden and the Museum of Military Technology in Zabrze.

Practical information

• Location: about 200 metres from the buildings at ul. Lipowa 11 in Zabrze-Mikulczyce.
• The site is overgrown; check its condition and the way to it before setting out.