Giecz

Giecz is a village in the Greater Poland Voivodeship and one of the oldest fortified settlements in Poland, dating back to around 865 AD. In the context of the origins of the Polish state and the first Piast rulers, Giecz long served a key role as an administrative and defensive center. The name Giecz appears in the "Chronicle of Poland" by Gallus Anonymus, in reference to the military forces of Bolesław the Brave. The first settlements emerged at the turn of the 8th and 9th centuries. The stronghold was built on a circular or elliptical plan and surrounded by an embankment capable of housing a powerful garrison of warriors. In the 10th century, Giecz evolved, gaining new fortifications and benefiting from trade, which made it a key point on routes leading to Western Europe and the Mediterranean. In the second half of the 10th century, plans were made to build a palatium and a chapel, but for unknown reasons, the work was halted. Giecz was also home to important religious structures, such as the Church of St. John the Baptist, which likely continued to serve a significant religious role. In the 14th century, due to invasions and changes in trade routes, Giecz began to decline, and its importance waned in favor of nearby towns. In 1253, a gathering of Greater Poland princes was held here, underscoring Giecz's significance. By the 14th century, the stronghold was likely abandoned, and the area of the former fort was transformed into a village, whose development led to the establishment of surrounding settlements. In the 20th century, archaeological excavations began, revealing a rich collection of finds, including a cemetery from the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries. Among the historic monuments of Giecz are the fortified settlement with preserved sections of embankments, the foundations of the palatium, and the Baroque Church of St. John the Baptist. One can also find the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary here. Giecz is a place that combines rich history, preserved architectural monuments, and mysteries related to the beginnings of the Polish state.