DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31076#0018
marital union to Princess Dobrava, the daughter of the afore-
mentioned Prince Boleslaw. This event—both wedding and
baptism—was duly recorded by a chronicler: “Dobrava comes
to Mieszko . . . Mieszko the Prince of the Poles christened.” 1
Dobrava arrived in Poland with a train of priests and monks,
as well as the Holy Scripture and other symbols of Christianity.
Pagan idols and temples were immediately demolished, and
churches and monasteries were erected in their place. Dobrava
went to Poznan, the capital of the Polanes; more than likely, how-
ever, she also visited Cracow, which was one of the strongest cas-
tles of the time. The city was built on a hill called Wawel on the
bank of the Vistula River, and was surrounded by marshes and
floodwaters of small streams that defended it from enemies.
Rare traces left in the soil allow a tentative reconstruction
of the structure, which must have been oval-shaped and fenced
with a high wooden palisade. Warriors’ dwellings and the prince’s
residence were also built of wood. Their form resembled the
huts of the contemporary Polish highlanders—gorale—who
lived in the Tatra Mountains south of Cracow. At the foot of
Wawel, there was a fortified town of artisans and merchants
called Okoi, the first seat of the city of Cracow.
On the whole, there are few historical sources that may be
employed to imagine Mieszko’s land and his castles—including
Cracow. One of these sources is a list of Mieszko’s possessions
that was compiled c. 990. Beginning with the words “Dagome
iudex” (“Dagome the Judge”), the document passed the state
1. “Dobrava ad Mesconem venit” and “Mesco dux Polonorum baptisatur,”
respectively.
mentioned Prince Boleslaw. This event—both wedding and
baptism—was duly recorded by a chronicler: “Dobrava comes
to Mieszko . . . Mieszko the Prince of the Poles christened.” 1
Dobrava arrived in Poland with a train of priests and monks,
as well as the Holy Scripture and other symbols of Christianity.
Pagan idols and temples were immediately demolished, and
churches and monasteries were erected in their place. Dobrava
went to Poznan, the capital of the Polanes; more than likely, how-
ever, she also visited Cracow, which was one of the strongest cas-
tles of the time. The city was built on a hill called Wawel on the
bank of the Vistula River, and was surrounded by marshes and
floodwaters of small streams that defended it from enemies.
Rare traces left in the soil allow a tentative reconstruction
of the structure, which must have been oval-shaped and fenced
with a high wooden palisade. Warriors’ dwellings and the prince’s
residence were also built of wood. Their form resembled the
huts of the contemporary Polish highlanders—gorale—who
lived in the Tatra Mountains south of Cracow. At the foot of
Wawel, there was a fortified town of artisans and merchants
called Okoi, the first seat of the city of Cracow.
On the whole, there are few historical sources that may be
employed to imagine Mieszko’s land and his castles—including
Cracow. One of these sources is a list of Mieszko’s possessions
that was compiled c. 990. Beginning with the words “Dagome
iudex” (“Dagome the Judge”), the document passed the state
1. “Dobrava ad Mesconem venit” and “Mesco dux Polonorum baptisatur,”
respectively.