The history of Legnica started as early as the 9th century when the center of the copper industry emerged. Still, there were ancient settlements on this site even earlier, described by Ptolemy. First mentioned in 1149, it received city laws about a century later.
Legnica was the capital of a separate duchy ruled by Piast princes under the Czech Crown for a very long period. The last ruler of the Piast dynasty died in 1675. Then the area fell under Habsburg and later Hohenzollern rule.
It’s believed that Legnica was the hometown of Vitello Thuringopolonis (1230-1280), an outstanding physicist, scientist, and philosopher of the Middle Ages.
Center of the Protestant movement
In the 16th Century, Legnica became a center of the Protestant movement. The town suffered during the Thirty Years’ War, never again reaching its earlier level of prosperity. The Silesian wars in the 18th century excluded Legnica. The town hosted foreign armies again during the Napoleonic Wars. And in 1813 the Battle of Kaczawa between Napoleon and allied Russian and Prussian troops took place nearby. In the 19th Century, Legnica developed into a modern capitalist town within the borders of Prussia (and later Germany).
Part of Poland
After suffering serious damage during World War II, the city became part of Poland. For a short time, it was the capital of the province, as Wroclaw had been mostly destroyed. Until 1990, the town was the headquarters of the Northern Group of Forces of the Soviet Army deployed in Poland. In 1950 its copper processing traditions were resurrected 1950. In 1993, the last Russian soldier left Legnica.
Legnica historical sites
But Legnica also has many historical sites that are traces of its long history. Among them, the most interesting are the Medieval castle and Lubiaz Abbot House, which hosts the Museum of Copper.
There are also many old churches, including St. John’s, St. Peter’s and Paul’s, and St. Mary’s. The Old Town district of Legnica has a nice market square with a Baroque Town Hall in its middle. Another noteworthy building is the Jesuits’ College.
Piast Castle in Legnica
The Piast Castle in Legnica is one of the oldest castles in Poland. Prince Henryk Brodaty (Henry the Bearded) erected it at the beginning of the 13th century.
It was rebuilt in Gothic style. In the 1530’s the castle became a Renaissance place, and again in 1835, it received a Neo-Classical look. In the middle of the courtyard, there is a glass pavilion where are the foundations of the 13th-century Romanesque Castle Chapel.
Castle architecture
It’s a brick three-tier structure built on an oblong rectangular plan. The chapel of Saint Benedict and Saint Lawrence and the defensive tower of Saint Peter are also in that part of the site. The chapel is twelve-sided with the chancel closed with an apse.
On the area by the second yard were the administrative and farming houses. The second tower (of Saint Hedwig) soars over this part of the site. Wooden earthen ramparts enclose the whole as part of the wall, together with the Lubińska Tower and the moat.
Alterations
The castle underwent many alterations over the centuries. By Duke Louis II of Brieg, the stone towers are from the early 15th century. The most significant changes happened during the rule of Frederick II in the early 16th century. A thorough remodeling took place in the Romanesque palace, and the original arrangement of floors, and a two-nave hall emerged on the first floor.
The late Gothic portals, the window framing, and the allegorical decoration of the Green Chamber (known also as the Rose Chamber) in the tower of Saint Hedwig, also date back to the time of those alternations. The inner walls of the Green Chamber have paintings depicting models of chivalry and nobleness. The portrayals of Hector from Troy, Alexander III of Macedon, and King Arthur, have stylized floral decorations.
Modern fortifications
Frederick II modernized the fortifications arrangement, by adding the oblong, multilateral bastion tower with gun emplacement. The important part of the site is the main entrance to the area of the castle, which leads through the early Renaissance portal of the gatehouse, with the Piast coat-of-arms and the roundels with the busts of the ducal couple, Frederick II, and his wife Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach-Kulmbach. It was Georg of Amberg who created the portal in 1533.
In the early 17th century the chapel disappeared and the Wieża Zegarowa (Clock Tower) was built. In the 19th century, reconstruction of the castle in the Neo-Classical style took place after a fire. After another fire in 1945, it fell into ruin.
In the 1960s the relics of the chapel were discovered in the yard. Currently, they’re covered by an exhibition pavilion and they form a subsidiary of the Museum of Copper in Legnica. Moreover, the castle houses educational institutions. The old castle park, now converted into a town park, is also included in the palace complex in Legnica.
Address: Zamkowa 1
Museum of Copper (Muzeum Miedzi w Legnicy)
The Museum of Copper is a unique institution dedicated to the history and significance of copper. Located in the heart of the city, this museum offers visitors an in-depth look at the various roles copper has played throughout history, from ancient times to the modern era.
The museum was established in 1962 and has since become one of the most important cultural institutions in the region. It is housed in a historic building that adds to the charm and historical ambiance of the exhibits. The museum’s mission is to preserve and promote the rich heritage of copper mining and metallurgy in the region.
Main Exhibitions
The museum’s main exhibition, titled “Copper in Many Scenes,” is divided into several thematic sections:
Copper at Home
This section explores the everyday uses of copper in household items. Visitors can see a variety of copper utensils, cookware, and decorative items that highlight the metal’s versatility and aesthetic appeal.
Copper in the Temple
Copper has long been used in religious artifacts and architecture. This part of the exhibition showcases copper’s role in religious settings, including church bells, altars, and other sacred objects.
Copper in Art
Copper’s malleability and beauty have made it a popular medium for artists. This section features a range of copper artworks, from sculptures to intricate jewelry, demonstrating the metal’s artistic potential.
Address: ul. Partyzantów 3