Send Gift Baskets to Legnica, Poland

Researchers discovered a bronze foundry and the graves of three metallurgists in eastern Legnica during the late 1970s. Approximately 1000 BC is the period indicated by the find.

During the 8th century B.C., the Lusatian culture people established a settlement. Celtic settlements and traders infiltrated Legnica and the northern foothills of Sudetes after the Celts invaded beyond the upper Danube basin.

Tacitus and Ptolemy mention the ancient Lugii (Lygii) nation in the area and note Lugidunum, attributed to Legnica and Gógów.

Although settlement dates back to the 7th century, the city was first mentioned in chronicles in 1004. According to dendrochronological research, a new fortified settlement was built here in style typical of the early Piast dynasty during the reign of Mieszko I of Poland. A chapel at the St. Benedict monastery was funded by High Duke Bolesaw IV the Curly in 1149. During 1248-1675, Legnica was ruled by a principality ruled by the high dukes of Poland and was the most likely place of residence for Bolesaw.

During the First Mongol invasion of Poland, Legnica became famous for the battle at Legnickie Pole on 9 April 1241. Besides Poles, Bavarian miners, military orders, and Czech troops, the Christian army of the Polish Duke Henry II, the Pious of Silesia, was decisively defeated by the Mongols. After killing Henry and destroying his forces, the Mongols turned south to join the other Mongol armies, who were massing at the Plain of Mohi in Hungary via Moravia against a coalition of King Bela IV’s troops, Bela’s Kipchak allies.