Reconstruction of the gate with a crane from the second half of the 12th/13th century.
During archaeological excavations of the stronghold, conducted in three stages between 1958-1965, 1982-1993, and 2006-2007, remains of fortifications were discovered in many trenches. Based on the analysis of research results and the study of archaeological materials, attempts were made to reconstruct the successive phases of the fort’s development and changes in its defensive structures. The oldest of these are dated to the middle of the 9th century. During this period, the edge of a small sandy hill surrounded by river branches was fortified, and a wooden and earth rampart was constructed in a multi-layered construction. Perhaps slightly later, the area of the gate placed at the bend of the rampart line (the so-called bay-shaped fortification form) was additionally reinforced from the outside with a structure consisting of wooden boxes filled with stones. The ramparts of the small stronghold covered the stone barrows of an earlier cemetery. Interestingly, these fortifications were not burned down, as was the case with most strongholds in the Greater Poland region, but dismantled and leveled. This happened during the second half of the 10th century. This fact served as the basis for the hypothesis about the origin of the Piast dynasty from Kalisz. It is believed that their action to occupy the entire Greater Poland region began from this location.
Construction of the rampart from the 9th century (IAE PAN archives)
In the second half of the 10th century, the Kalisz stronghold was expanded. It consisted of two sections. In the northern part, there was a wooden church. Near it, traces of buildings were uncovered. The rampart of the northern part covered at least two stone barrows. It is difficult to determine the extent of the southern part. It is likely that the defensive wall line could have been shifted southward in a later period. The maximum extent of the rampart in the south is currently marked by the so-called spur in the southwest corner of the stronghold. The construction of the first fortifications in this area is dated to the construction of a well in the southern part of the stronghold (the building of the so-called “barrel house”) in the period between 980 and 1050. In the vicinity of Kalisz, several other fortified strongholds were also erected at the end of the 10th century, reinforcing the southeastern edge of the Piast State.
Little can be said about the stronghold in the 11th century. It is presumed that it may have survived the invasion of the Czech king Bretislaus in 1039, which devastated many strongholds in the Greater Poland region. Undoubtedly, during this period, settlements located near the stronghold were developing. This is best evidenced by coins found in their vicinity, dating back to the second half of the 11th century. Also, a discovery from the stronghold area dating back to the second half of the 11th century is an lead bulla (seal), attributed to the Ruthenian prince Iziaslav Yaroslavich.
Outer bailey from the 11th century according to research from 2007 (photo by D. Wyczołkowski)
The first mention of the stronghold comes from the Chronicle of Anonymous called Gallus and pertains to the events of 1106. In that year, the forces of Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth attacked the district of his half-brother Zbigniew and captured Kalisz after a siege lasting several days. It is unclear whether this event is related to the burning of the northeastern part of the fortifications and the wooden church. However, it is known that probably in the early 12th century, after the burning of the rampart and the temple, this part of the stronghold was rebuilt, enlarging its extent and shifting the rampart line eastward. Simultaneously, the internal rampart of the northern part was eliminated, and probably a new stone, single-nave church was erected on the site of the previous wooden one. The fortifications of the stronghold were expanded, raised with a row of wide wooden crates filled with sand, and at least some of them gained a stone facing from the outside. Also, in the case of this phase of fortifications, a bay-shaped construction was used to place the stronghold gate. As evidenced by the results of research conducted in 2007, it was probably located on the eastern side near the church.
Rampart from the 9th century (IAE PAN archives)
Further changes in the topography of the stronghold occurred in the second half of the 12th century. Once again, a section of the fortifications in the northeastern part was dismantled. These works were associated with the construction of a new temple, the collegiate church of St. Paul, and probably with the relocation of the stronghold gate. The rampart was partially shifted eastward and northward. The new gate, probably by then, was equipped with a crane used to raise the bridge. Details of such a construction were included in “The Galician-Volhynian Chronicle”, in the description of the siege of Kalisz in 1229 by the troops of the Ruthenian princes Danylo and Vasylko. The interior of the stronghold was rebuilt. It can be presumed that the previous interior structures disappeared at that time. For example, it is known that the workshop near the church disappeared, relocated to the area of the craft and trade settlement, the present Stare Miasto (Old Town). Inside the stronghold, a brick palace building was probably erected, possibly incorporated into the southern line of the rampart of the central part, and a made of stone and brick defensive tower on the western rampart. Due to the lack of reliable dating materials, it is not known what happened to the southern part of the stronghold. It is presumed that it may have been abandoned by the end of the 12th century.
Rampart from the 9th century (photo by K. Dąbrowski)
Extent of the stronghold in the 10th-11th centuries (compiled by D. Wyczółkowski)
It is difficult to assess whether it was a deliberate decision or the result of, for example, a natural disaster. It is known that some of the fortifications in this area may have been destroyed by water during a violent river flood. However, it is difficult to date these events clearly. During this period, further development of settlements associated with the stronghold occurred. In 1233, the forces of the Silesian princes Henry the Bearded and his son, Henry the Pious, during the war with Władysław Odonic, captured Kalisz. However, contrary to earlier views, it is now assumed that the stronghold probably functioned until the end of the 13th century when it finally fell into private hands. During this period, from around 1257, a new town was already developing 2 kilometers north of the stronghold.
Dariusz Wyczółkowski
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