Biskupin is just one of the Warsaw tourist attractions
that have visitors from around the world coming to this
Polish city every year. Biskupin is actually a fortified
settlement in Poland, which was inhabited between the
late Bronze Age and the Iron Ages. The Biskupin commonly
referred to as the Polish Pompeli only had around 900
residents on this island fortress that held the unique
construction that draws guests every year. The settlement
was created with 13 parallel rows of homes packed so closely
together that only one roof was needed for anywhere from
3 to 10 homes. In all, there were 105 homes with a timber
road between the rows of homes and one around the homes,
which was then surrounded by a wall that was 3 meters
high. The unique construction of the exterior wall of
the Biskupin settlement was wooden boxes in which the
workers filled with dirt and rocks.
Biskupin Poland was discovered and excavated by Jozef
Kostrzewsk of Poznan University during the 1930’s.
The settlement itself had been preserved very well except
for a few of the homes, which were reconstructed to their
present state. The excavation began in 1934 but brought
about much controversy especially with the Germans whom
occupied this area of Poland in 1939. The Germans of course,
did not want the Poles to have any credit for having the
ingenious architectural skills for holding back invaders
and stated that the area had been under German rule since
at least the Iron Age. Excavation began again in 1940
until 1942 under Heinrich Himmler. At the time when the
Germans retreated from Poland, the Biskupin was flooded.
Polish archaeologists began the excavation once again
after the war and remained at work until 1974 until the
excavation was complete and the settlement was completely
revealed.
Today, Biskupin Poland is one
of the most popular Warsaw museums and on the top of the
list for Warsaw tourist attractions. The Polish museum
is open all year from 8am to 6pm except for winter months
when it closes at dusk. You will not find another Polish
museum that has withstood time as this Warsaw museum,
one main reason that it remains one of the best Warsaw
tourist attractions. This Warsaw
attraction is perfect for history
buffs or those with an inqusitive nature that wish to
see the remarkable architecture design of the Bronze and
Iron Ages.
While you are visiting, you may wish to visit another
Warsaw museum such as the Museum of Caricature or the
Zamek Ujastowski. However, Biskupin Poland has to be at
the top of the list of Polish museums if you love historical
finds and especially ones that encompasses centuries.
