Stronghold in Międzyświeć

The stronghold in Międzyświeć is an early medieval hillfort in a place called Piekiełko, close to the Skoczów boundary. It is regarded as the original settlement of that town.

What the stronghold was

A settlement of the Gołęszyce tribe existed here from the 7th to the end of the 9th century. It was most probably destroyed by the Great Moravian ruler Svatopluk I and was never rebuilt. The stronghold lay on a naturally defensible triangular promontory about 330 m above sea level, 60 m above the valley of the Bładnica river, from where the valley of the upper Vistula could be seen. It was the easternmost stronghold of the Gołęszyce and probably complemented the larger stronghold at Kocobędz.

Until the mid-8th century the settlement was poorly fortified or open. Later it was surrounded by an earth rampart with a palisade and an outer moat. In the middle lay a central yard with log or post houses, and in the settlement there were a kiln for firing pottery and a smithing hearth.

Research

The ramparts had long been known to local people, but archaeological work began after unauthorised digging in the 1950s. In 1959 to 1963 it was carried out by the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom, and in a supplementary campaign in 1977 by the museum in Cieszyn. Vessels, spindle whorls, knives, awls, arrowheads and fish hooks were found. The most valuable find is considered to be an iron spur plated with silver.

Nearby

Nearby are Grodziec Castle and the Gustaw Morcinek Museum in Skoczów.

Practical information

• Location: Międzyświeć, a place called Piekiełko, near the Skoczów boundary.
• The ramparts and moat survive and are visible on the ground; check the details of how to get there with the municipal office.