Though construction of Nowa Huta began in 1949, Kopiec Wandy is indisputable evidence that the history of the area goes back much further. In fact, the village of Mogiła, which Kopiec Wandy is near the historical centre of, has been inhabited since 5000 BC without interruption, while archaeologists date the settlement of Kraków's Old Town much later in the 8th century. Together with Kopiec Krakusa in Podgórze (K-5) - Kraków's other prehistoric earthwork - Kopiec Wandy plays a role in one of Poland's greatest archeaological mysteries as the mound's date of construction, builders and function all remain a subject of great speculation. Leading theories suggest that both mounds were erected sometime between the 6th and 10th centuries, by either the Slavs or the Celts, as burial mounds or pagan cult sites; perhaps most likely is that they were created as burial mounds which later became cult sites. Though seemingly random within the layout of modern Kraków, the location of the two mounds can hardly be seen as an accident; when standing atop Kopiec Wandy on the evening of the summer solstice, the sun can be seen setting in a direct line behind Kopiec Krakusa.

Off a major road behind a handy tramstop (station 'Kopiec Wandy'), Wanda's Mound is a conical earthwork rising 14m with a winding path to the top, adorned by a small monument from the 19th century by Jan Matejko who lived in the Krzesławice Manor nearby. The victim of general neglect and geographical trespasses, Wanda's Mound today lies just beyond the fence of the fearsomely enormous Sendzimir steel plant, of which glimpses of a large junkyard can be seen through the trees. The view to the southwest is an improvement, where Kopiec Krakusa and Podgórze can be seen in the distance, though Wanda's Mound unfortunately doesn't offer sweeping views of the same caliber as Kraków's other mounds. The parkland surrounding the mound is in need of the development which is apparently planned, not to mention some proper modern archaeological studies; behind the mound is a footpath leading to the right towards one of Kraków's hidden 19th century Austrian fortresses, but, honestly, it just gives us the creeps.

The only daughter of Krakus, Kraków’s mythical founder, there are many tales chronicling the life of Wanda which have been the source of numerous literary works and taken their place in the Polish national consciousness. First mentioned by a historian of the early 13^th century, Queen Wanda (like all Polish women, mind you) was apparently quite an exceptional lady. Possessed of great beauty (obviously), grace, wisdom and charm, even the most ruthless enemies were said to willow at the sight of her, including a Leman tyrant who – in attempting to seize a throne he perceived as ‘vacant’ – laid down his arms at the sight of her indisputable charms. Not just a pretty face, Wanda is also credited with military talent, defeating the Germans in a battle at Skotnickie Lake. As you can imagine, a lady of such high nobility, endowment and appeal had her fair share of suitors and apparently the list of humiliated hopefuls throwing themselves on their swords was a long one. Valuing virginity as the highest moral station, Wanda refused all those who asked for her hand, including a German prince who threatened to take her and her kingdom by force if she would not submit. In a revered example of self-sacrifice to her people, rather than willfully give her kingdom over to a foreigner, Wanda threw herself into the Wisła River – an act which later, during the highly-patriotic periods of Polish annexation and occupation, earned her the snarky nickname ‘Wanda who didn’t want a German.’ In order to honour and remember their great Queen, the nation built her an earthwork tomb as impressive as her father’s near Mogiła, the place of her birth. Though she died a virgin, those brave enough to visit Nowa Huta today can easily conquer Wanda’s mound.