Polish researchers have discovered a legendary mediaeval town of which — until now — its existence was more or less a fairytale. To add to the mystery, the settlement of Stolzenberg only lasted for a relatively short time and was suddenly abandoned.
Near Zagroda, a current settlement near Sławoborze in the northwest of the country, researcher say the historic town once was. By using a LiDAR laser scanner attached to a drone and geological drilling in 2025, the scientists now say they have confirmed earlier finds done with metal detectors in the early 2020s. “The results unequivocally confirmed the existence of the city’s relics and allowed for the reconstruction of its urban layout,” according to Polish national TVN broadcasting company.
Alt Stadt and Hospital
A team of archaeologists from the Relicta Foundation based the location on German written sources from the 19th Century, which mention a defunct town in the Sławoborze area. “Alt Stadt” (Old Town) and “Hospital” are named as parts of this old Stolzenberg.
Brandenburg
The remnants of the town are spread over six hectares of land, buried 5.5 metres deep. Radiocarbon dating confirms the remnants existed in the first decades of the 14th Century. At the time, the now Polish region was part of Brandenburg, a German part of the Holy Roman Empire. | © 2025 Marcel Burger, nordicreporter.com. Featured photo of the LiDAR scan: Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego