Written sources on Ostrów Lednicki are relatively recent. The 19th century saw an interest in the ruins on the island from people like Joachim Lelewel and Edward Raczyński. Important visitors to Wielkopolska often made sightseeing trips to the island. Albin Węsierski from Zakrzewo purchased Ostrów Lednicki from the Prussian government in the mid-19th century. A wooden shelter was built in 1936 but burnt down in 1965. A thatch-roofed building now stands in its place.
The first archaeological excavations on Ostrów Lednicki were carried out in the mid-19th century. Systematic archaeological work has been conducted since 1948, following studies in 1932-1935. Wide-ranging interdisciplinary research has been conducted since 1982, during the course of which some 2,000 skeletons have been uncovered. These tell us that that very few people lived beyond 50 years of age and that people were shorter, the average height being 165 cm for men and 153 cm for women. The island and the shores of the lake continue to be explored and artefacts that further enrich our knowledge of this place so pivotal to Poland’s history are found every year.
Włodzimierz Łęcki
Address:
Muzeum Pierwszych Piastów na Lednicy (Museum of the First Piasts in Lednica)
Dziekanowice 32
62-261 Lednogóra
Tel. +48 61 427 50 10
For more information, go to the museum website.
