The “manor on the mound” emphasized the social and property status of the owner. It was also the focal point of a multi-village property estate.

History

 The hillfort was inhabited in the late Middle Ages and in the early modern period (14th - 17th centuries). Two phases of its use were found: 14th - 15th centuries. (1st phase); 16th – 17th centuries (2nd phase).

The origin of the object’s first founder is unknown. The monument is located on the outskirts of the village of Strzałków, first mentioned in written sources in 1411 as the property of Jan. In 1460 the village belonged to Wojciech from Opatów, a Gniezno canon. The erection of a brick manor house in the 16th century may be associated with the Zaremba family foundation. In 1573 Strzałków with the villages of Małgów and Strachocice were owned by Janusz and Stanisław Zaremba.

Description of the structure 

Location of the historic structure. The hillfort is located in the village of Chrusty. It is situated in the western part of the village of Strzałków, next to a dirt road, on the edge of meadows and farmlands.

Description of the site. The object was entered into the register of historic monuments as a “manor mound (the so-called motte-and-bailey castle)”. The site is overgrown with trees and shrubs. Its height is about 2 m and its diameter at the circular base is about 40 m. It is surrounded by a moat 12 m wide.

Progress and findings of archaeological research. The site was discovered in 1984 by Grzegorz Teske and Janusz Tomala. In 1985, they conducted a survey, establishing a 4 x 2 m trench and drilling two lines of boreholes (a total of 31 boreholes). Based on the research, it was found that the site was used within two settlement phases. In phase I (14th-15th centuries), a wooden building was erected on a small rise, which burned down. In phase II (16th-17th centuries) in the central part of the mound a brick manor house was erected, the foundations of which were built of field stones (erratic) combined with lime mortar. From the survey excavations, movable artifacts in the form of fragments of clay vessels were obtained. In professional literature, the settlement is listed as Strzałków.

Visitor access. Private property – the site can only be viewed from the outside.                         

Author of the note: Barbara Iwanicka – Pinkosz, the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Poznań, Regional Branch in Trzebiny, 04.06.2018

Bibliography

• Tomala J., Budownictwo obronne powiatu kaliskiego w XIV – XVIII wieku, Poznań 1995.