Proces formowania się państwa Piastów

The paper presents a question of the Piast state formation based on the changes in the network of settlements, in particular the strongholds. The results of archaeological research, enriched by studies performed by historians, show that the processes of forming the Piast state took a relatively short time and it did not entail a period of competition between local tribal leaders. Its character was revolutionary, which determines the uniqueness of the processes occurring in the Polish lands over a thousand years ago.

Archeolodzy uniwersyteccy na Ostrowie Tumskim w Poznaniu

The article discusses contribution of archaeologists from the University of Poznań to the study of the origins and development of the early medieval stronghold at Ostrów Tumski, Poznań. The results of their research studies led to the conclusion that the Piasts’ stronghold had been organised on the basis of Carolingian-Ottonian residences with a stone palace and a chapel. These studies also enabled the reconstruction of the further history of the oldest part of Poznań

Kronika

JUBILEUSZ 45-LECIA PRACY NAUKOWEJ PROFESOR ZOFII HILCZER-KURNATOWSKIE

Poznań – miejsce centralne w średniowieczu

The Poznań stronghold, founded on an island within the Warta River backwaters,  from the beginning belonged to hubs of the first Piasts state, which were characterized by serving various functions. In the second half of the 10th century Poznań was already a powerful fortress defending access to the state interior, seat of duke and his court, stronghold with administrative, economic and religious functions, constituting for the ruler a main point in the management of the state. Taking into account the might of its fortifications, size and multi-segment nature of the Poznań stronghold, as well as the manner of its building, it can be assumed that it was organized on the model of Carolingian-Ottonian residences. In the 1240s this main stronghold of Greater Poland was covered by urbanization processes. Initially, Duke Przemysł I planned to incorporate the city in Śródka, designating for this purpose a settlement located to the east of the stronghold, in its immediate vicinity. However, the city was organized in 1253 in more convenient area, situated on the left bank of the Warta River. Its shape and structure, including the presence of mortared ducal castle, surrounded by its own fortifications, clearly indicate that Poznań maintained its position as a central place throughout the Middle Ages.W artykule przedstawiono znaczenie poznańskiego grodu, który od początków swego funkcjonowania należał do centralnych ośrodków państwa pierwszych Piastów. Był fortalicją broniącą dostępu do wnętrza państwa, rezydencją władcy i dworu, pełnił także funkcje administracyjne, gospodarcze i sakralne. W latach 40. XII wieku gród ten objęły procesy urbanizacyjne. Biorąc pod uwagę kształt i strukturę miasta można uznać, że Poznań utrzymał pozycję miejsca centralnego przez całe średniowiecze

Poznań – od grodu do miasta

The process of the formation of the urban centre in Poznań was long and variable, which resulted in particular from changes taking place in the early medieval settlement network. The results of historical analyses and archaeological excavations lead to the conclusion that the formation of this centre can be divided into three main stages, whose material manifestation were the changes in the major settlement areas. The first stage was related to the operation of the stronghold on Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island), located at the crossing of water and overland routes, activating the surrounding settlement since at least the beginning of the 10th century. The second stage should be related to the first attempt at the city’s incorporation in the 1230s, based on the settlement situated on the right bank of the Warta River (Ostrówek, Śródka and Komandoria). Designating the third stage was the transfer of the seat of the Dominicans to the left bank of the river in 1244 and ownership regulations in relation to the functioning of the settlements of św. Gotard, św. Marcin and św. Wojciech, which brought lasting results in the creation of the city. Archaeological data indicates that the development of the newly founded city initially proceeded with difficulty, probably in part due to the sudden death of Przemysł I. As late as in the 1280s, during the reign of Przemysł II it gained momentum, as evidenced by sources, as well as the construction of the monumental ducal castle.Artykuł dotyczy przemian osadniczych zachodzących we wczesnym średniowieczu w przełomowej dolinie Warty, których efektem było zorganizowanie miasta. Przemiany te wynikały z roli wczesnopiastowskiego grodu na Ostrowie Tumskim w państwie pierwszych Piastów. Rozwój najbliżej położonych, prawobrzeżnych osad skutkował krótkotrwałym funkcjonowaniem organizmu miejskiego, lecz udana lokacja Poznania, zakończona w 1253 roku, oparta została o osadnictwo położone na lewym brzegu rzeki