Signpost from 1151 A.D.

In the old part of Konin town, close to Saint Bartholomeus Church, there is situated very interesting structure. It is a column made of stone. Its surface bears carved Latin inscription which informs the reader about the actual location. There is also another valuable information, the date 1151 A.D., which indicates when the pole was made. The structure is nothing but signpost. It is unique because there are not known any other medieval signposts from Polish territory. I do not know if there survived any of this kind in Europe. It would be interesting to compare our historical monument with its counteparts from other places in our continent. If any of you met something like this please let me know.

The signpost called in Polish "słup milowy" (in English: mile pillar) was carved in 1151 in sandstone. There is a theory that says the pillar was carved during pagan times and was a statue of heathen god. However there is no evidence which indicates that the theory is right. Generally researchers agree that the pillar was carved in 12th century. The date 1151 says that it was funded in the second decade of feudal division of Poland. This period began with death of prince Boleslaw III the Wrymouth from Piast dynasty in 1138. His testament entered agnatic seniority system and divided Poland among his sons. Unluckily the system didn't work and The Wrymouth's descendands waged wars between themselves. The division lasted until the unification of Poland by Wladyslaw the Elbow-High, The Wrymouth's great great grandson, in 1320.

In 1138 Konin became a part of Seniorate Province like other towns of east part of Greater Poland (in Latin Polonia Maior). It was small settlement located on the south bank of the Warta River. Konin defended strategic ford on Warta which was a part of trade route from south to north. The inscription from the signpost will tell us more:

Anno ab Incarnat. Dni Nr MCL primo.

In Calis hic medium de Crusvici fore punctum indicat istaviae formula et iustitiae.

Quam fieri iussit Petrus Comes hic palatinus hoc omni sollertia dimidiavit iter.

Eius ut esse memor dignetur omnisque viator cum prece propicium solicitando Deum.

In the year 1151 after the incarnation of our Lord,

It is almost the middle point between Kalisz and Kruszwica, indicates this formula of justice

Which was ordered to be done by the comes count palatine Peter, who carefully bisected the road here

Deign remember him every traveller by your prayer to the graciuos God!

The inscription is right. Kruszwica is situated 52 kilometers to the north of Konin and Kalisz 52 kilometers to the south. In 12th century these two towns were one of the most important in Poland (in fact they were a capitals of castellanies). Historians are not sure about the actual founder of  the signpost. There are three candidats: Peter Dunin Wlostowic (ca 1080-1153), Peter Wszeborowic (?-1176) and Peter Wszebor (ca 1080-1161, father of the previous one). Polish medieval chronicler Jan Dlugosz (1415-1480) linked the person of founder with Silesian nobleman Peter Dunin Wlostowic from Labedz clan. He was the count palatine in the court of Boleslaw III the Wrymouth and later in the court of The Wrymouth's son Wladislaw the Exile (prince of Silesia). Historians think that he couldn't have been the author and founder because he had been blinded and banished 6 years before the signpost was made. Other two Peters were also prominent figures in the 12th century. Peter Wszebor held a title of comes and his son was a castellan (in Latin comes castellanus) of Kruszwica. Probably we will never know which of them was an exact signpost founder.

Signpost - view from the north. Behind the pillar there is visible medieval Saint Bartholomeus Church.

Signpost - view from the south.

 Latin inscriptions carved in the sandstone pillar.

It is worth mentioning that in the medieval times (and long after) the signpost was situated near royal castle, 250-300 meters to the north-west of the present location. In 1828 authorities decided to move it where it is now. The sandstone pillar is the oldest historical monument in my hometown - Konin, except some forgotten remains of the gord (Slavic wooden fortress from 11th century) which are located 4 kilometers to the west.

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