Krakus Mound (Kopiec Krakusa), Krakow

The ancient Mounds of Krakow stand as cherished treasures within the city's history. These mounds, dating back to prehistoric eras, hold significant value. The Krakus Mound, thought to originate from the 1st and 2nd century BC, is believed to be the resting place of King Krak – a pivotal figure in the Krakow Dragon legend and the city's first ruler. Nevertheless, an excavation during the 1930s yielded no human remains. Instead, it brought forth artifacts from the 8th to 10th century. The mound's construction was revealed to involve a solid wooden core covered with soil and turf.

An alternative theory links these mounds to pre-Christian pagan beliefs and rituals. Researchers, including historians and archaeologists, have discerned that the Krakus Mounds possess astronomical alignments that remarkably correspond with two pagan sun festivals: one on May 1st and another in November.

Additional mounds include the Wanda Mound, constructed as a tribute to Princess Wanda, the daughter of King Krak. The legend recounts her preference to sacrifice her life by leaping into the Vistula River rather than marrying a foreigner. Notably, the Wanda Mound and the Krakus Mound form an equilateral triangle with the Vistula River. Two more mounds, the Kosciuszko Mound and the Pilsudski Mound, honor Kopiec Kosciuszki and Kopiec Pilsudskiego, respectively. These mounds were erected by Krakow's inhabitants and are relatively more recent.