Kopiec Esterki, Monument in Podgórze district, Kraków, Poland.
Kopiec Esterki was an earthen mound in Kraków that stood near the Vistula River's bank and rose about 7 meters high. The rise was removed in the 1950s, but its former location is now marked by an old chestnut tree near Głowackiego Street.
The mound was built in the 14th century, reportedly commissioned by King Casimir the Great as a memorial to his connection with Esterka. The structure's exact purpose remained unclear as excavations later raised questions about its original function.
The site reflects an old tradition of building earth mounds to honor important figures in the community. This practice was common across the region and shows how people marked their landscape with memory.
The former site of the mound is located in a residential area and is easily accessible on foot. Little remains physically on the ground, so historical records help understand what once stood at this spot.
When scientists excavated the mound, they found no human remains inside, which challenged their initial assumptions about its purpose. This surprising finding sparked new discussions about what the structure was truly meant for.
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