The Pilsudski Mound

raised of the soil of all battlefields of World War I

The Mound of Jozef Pilsudski is the largest of the four mounds in Cracow. It was raised on the highest hill of Sowiniec Range (383 m. above sea level) in the Wolski Forest in the western part of Cracow. It is also called the Mound of Independence or the Mound of Freedom.

History

The idea of raising a mound being the monument of the combat of the Polish nation for independence arose in 1934 among the members of the Legionaries' Union. The decision on raising the mound was passed on 5 July 1934 on the meeting of the Town Council of Cracow, sessions of which were chaired by president Mieczyslaw Kaplicki. In Warsaw the Committee of Mound Construction was formed, the lead of which was taken by colonel Walery Slawek. On the twentieth anniversary of the departure from Cracow of the 1st Cadre Company of Pilsudski Legions, namely on 6 August 1934, the mound started to be raised. The decision on naming the mound with Pilsudski's name was made already after he died (12 May 1935). The construction was completed on 9 July 1937.

The mound is 35 m high, and the diameter of the base is 111 m. The mound contains soil from all the battlefields of World War I on which Poles fought. To that purpose over 3 thousands urns with soil were brought to Cracow. To display empty urns, a special exhibition was organized in the building of the former sentry at the Town Hall Tower, opened on 19 March 1939. Some of them are presently in the Cracow History Museum. In 1941 the order to destroy the mound was issued by governor Hans Frank, which, however, was never executed. After World War II state authorities conducted actions designed to eliminate the mound from the landscape of the city. To that purpose the clearings surrounding the mound were afforested, so that the trees cover the object. Additionally their roots burst the soil causing soil running. The name of the mound was withdrawn from the book and press circulation. The granite plate with the engraved legionary cross, placed on its top, was removed in 1953 by use of a tank. The whole slope of the mound was destroyed at that time.

Reconstruction

In June 1980 the Committee of Care over the Mound of Jozef Pilsudski was established which has been watching it until now. The action of reconstruction of the mound started in 1981. At its foot, soil from the battlefields of World War II was laid down. Since then the mound has been called the Grave of the Graves. The first renovation was completed in 1995, however, in 1997 as a result of pouring rains and damages caused by the flood, 70% of the ground floated from the slopes of the mound. Also, the structure of the object was broken. And so another renovation of the mound was started and lasted 5 years. Another 15 urns with soil from the places where Poles fought were laid down at that time at the base of the mound.

In 2006 the porphyry obelisk on top of the mound was destroyed twice. That act was committed by unknown perpetrators on 19 April (the anniversary of Pilsudski's death) and on 12 May (the anniversary of the May coup).

Access

Bus line 134 departs every half an hour from the MPK bus stop "Cracovia" at Blonia, by which one can get to the Wolski Forest, near the mound. The way to the top of the mound can be made on foot.

In the neighbouring areas of the Blonia Park, to the bus stop "Cracovia", one can get from the "Main Railway Station" bus stop by city bus line 124 or 152, from the "Main Railway Station West" bus stop - 179, from the "Main Railway Station East" bus stop - line 192. In addition, by trams no. 15, 18 and bus line 103, 109, 114, 134, 144, 164, 169, 173, 194, 409, 492.

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• happyjan2009-05-18

  

  super!

  Takiej informacji szukałem! Jutro jedziemy do Krakowa na wycieczkę szkolną. Historia Kopca Józefa Piłsudskiego jest wspaniała; hitlerowcy, towarzysze i nieznani sprawcy dziwnie się rozumieją! Nie trzeba dzieciom nic objaśniać.

   

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