Mound of Liberation

The Liberation Mound in Piekary Śląskie is a monument unveiled between 1932 and 1937, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Hussars' march to Vienna and the 15th anniversary of the incorporation of part of Upper Silesia into Poland. As the highest point within the city limits, the mound has become a symbol of Polish identity and a tribute to the Silesian insurgents. Its history dates back to 1883, when Wawrzyniec Hajda first proposed the construction of the mound, but due to opposition from German authorities, the project was not realized. The idea resurfaced in 1930 during the celebrations of the tenth anniversary of the Second Silesian Uprising, when it was decided to build the mound to honor the insurgents. In 1932, on the occasion of the aforementioned anniversary of the Hussars, the foundation act was laid, and the construction of the mound continued for five years with the participation of the local community and numerous visitors who brought soil from various places in Poland. Architecturally, the mound reaches a height of 356 meters above sea level, with a base diameter of 68 meters and a volume of 25,000 m³. The ceremony marking the completion of the construction coincided with the 15th anniversary of the incorporation of Silesia into Poland and was attended by prominent figures, including Deputy Prime Minister Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski. An interesting fact is the Memorial Book, maintained for several decades, containing entries from notable figures associated with the event. It was kept by Karol Mutz and digitized in 2017 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Poland's independence. In 2019, the National Bank of Poland issued a commemorative coin dedicated to the Liberation Mound. The mound not only serves as a viewpoint but also stands as an important cultural and patriotic site, reminding us of the history of Upper Silesia and its connections to the struggle for Polish identity.