Two seasons of non-invasive investigation including geophysics and aerial prospection have succeeded in providing new insight into the 15th century Polish settlement of Nieszawa – a town which rapidly developed into an economic rival to Teutonic Order controlled Toruń (Thorn) just across the Vistula river. Archaeologists P. Wroniecki, M. Jaworski, M. Pisz, S. Rzeźnik and W. Stępień completed a study of the survey results, allowing for a detailed digital reconstruction of Nieszawa as it was in the early 15th century AD.

Nieszawa was once located on the opposite side of the Vistula river from the town of Toruń and was given municipal rights in 1425. Its appearance is directly connected to the construction of Dybow Castle (from 1424-1428) by the Polish king Władysław Jagiełło. The town benefited from its riverside location and developed so rapidly that within a short space of time it was in competition with Toruń. The growing income from river trade became a source of socio-economic tension between the Polish Kingdom and the Teutonic Order, and discontent grew among the townspeople and merchants of Toruń.

Eventually, the people of Toruń rebelled against Teutonic rule, and in appreciation for their involvement on the Polish side during the Thirteen Years’ War (1454–66), King Casimir IV Jagiellon decreed that he would demolish Nieszawa and relocate it 32 km upstream, where it still exists to this day.

Read the rest of this article...