Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – The medieval town of Stolzenberg remains something of a mystery. Historical records and early maps indicate that it functioned as a town only briefly before being abandoned for reasons that are still unknown.
For many years, archaeologists have tried to pinpoint its location, and recent advances in LiDAR technology may have finally made this possible. Using LiDAR, (Light Detection and Ranging), researchers have identified more than 1,500 anomalies that likely indicate buried structures and ruins.
Results of geophysical surveys at the site of the former town. Credit: P. Wroniecki
Archaeologists now report that they have found traces of Stolzenberg near the settlement of Zagrody, close to Slawoborze in north-western Poland. The town is thought to have been founded in the late 13th or early 14th century and to have existed only a short time before being deserted.
The earliest written references to Stolzenberg date from the 16th century. More recently, archaeologists from Poland’s Relicta Foundation have uncovered mentions in 19th-century German sources describing the remains of a deserted town near Slawoborze. These accounts note visible traces of fortifications and local field names such as Alt Stadt (“Old Town”) and Hospital, suggesting a once-established settlement.
Relics of the medieval town of Stolzenberg based on a digital terrain model. Credit: P. Wroniecki
The first direct archaeological evidence of medieval activity at the site came from metal detector surveys in 2020 and 2021. With support from the Parseta Exploration and Search Group from Kolobrzeg, researchers recovered more than 400 metal artefacts dating from the late 13th to the 15th century. These finds included tools, clothing accessories like belt fittings and brooches, and coins. Among the coins were medieval bracteates from Strzalowo and Szczecin, as well as a denarius issued by Barnim II.
In 2025, further investigations combined geophysical surveys, LiDAR drone scanning, and geological drilling. The results confirmed that the remains of a medieval town are preserved in the forests near Zagrody. Researchers were also able to identify the settlement’s layout, providing a clearer picture of the structure and extent of the long-lost town of Stolzenberg.
“In an area of approximately six hectares, surrounded by a rampart and moat, we detected over 1,500 anomalies—unusual terrain features suggesting buried structures, such as ancient buildings.
Drilling confirmed the presence of these layers, which exceed two meters in depth. Some form a regular layout characteristic of towns founded under German law.
In the central part, a probable market square is visible, surrounded by burgher plots, only some of which have been built on, as well as the route of the main street leading to the town gate,” said Piotr Wroniecki from the Relicta Foundation.
The area’s continuous forest cover and limited development have helped preserve the town’s earthwork fortifications in very good condition. The surrounding moat still reaches a depth of about 5.5 metres.
Non-invasive research of the lost town. Credit: M. Krzepkowski
Initial radiocarbon dating of organic material suggests that the town existed as early as the first decades of the 14th century. Based on this evidence, archaeologists believe it was likely founded in the late 13th or early 14th century.
Stolzenberg moat and ramparts. Credit: M. Krzepkowski
Identifying the founders of the settlement is challenging due to its location. Current research points to the Margraves of Brandenburg—who controlled the nearby Neumark region—as the most probable initiators, possibly establishing Stolzenberg as a frontier town. The Bishops of Kamien are also considered as potential founders, though their involvement is regarded as less likely.
Why And When Was Stolzenberg Abandoned?
“We cannot say what its population was or why the town was abandoned. Usually, more than one factor determines a town’s decline, its degradation to a village, or its relocation. Sometimes this happens due to natural causes, such as floods, or changes in transportation routes that reduce activity in a given town, leading to the decline of trade and crafts and the impoverishment of the town.
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Sometimes, of course, the causes are military events, wars, or invasions. Our work has revealed a general picture of the town, but survey research would be necessary to determine the causes of its decline,” said Marcin Krzepkowski from the Relicta Foundation.
“We plan to determine exactly when the town was founded and clarify the circumstances under which it became depopulated. It is crucial to identify the location of the church and cemetery, first mentioned in 1291. This information will tell us more about the layout of the buildings. We want to interest our partners, the Swidwin Forest District and the Slawoborze Commune, in sharing the costs of researching this unique site,” Krzepkowski said.
Source: Nauka w Polsce (Science in Poland)
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
