Carpathian Troy – Trzcinica
Medals available in the entrance hall!
The Archaeological Open-Air Museum “Carpathian Troy” is located in Trzcinica, in southeastern Poland, in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, several kilometers northwest of Jasło, overlooking the Ropa River valley.
The site where the open-air museum was established is one of Poland’s most important archaeological sites, of exceptional significance for understanding the ancient history of all Central-Eastern Europe. During excavations, particularly those conducted since 1991 by Jan Gancarski, over 160,000 artifacts were discovered here, including vessels, ceramic products, flint and stone items, bone and horn objects, as well as bronze and iron artifacts. Many of these are unique relics, considered magnificent examples of ancient art and craftsmanship.
In Trzcinica, one of the first heavily fortified settlements known in Poland was discovered, dating back to the early Bronze Age over 4,000 years ago! This is also where the first settlement of the Transcarpathian Otomani-Füzesabony culture was found in Poland, showing distinct Mediterranean influences and dated to 1650-1350 BC. Due to the significance of this discovery, its chronology, and clear Southern European influences, the site was named “Carpathian Troy.”
More than two thousand years after the fall of Carpathian Troy, Slavs settled this area. They built a large stronghold covering 3 hectares, surrounded by monumental defensive ramparts that still reach up to 10 meters in height in some sections today. This site is called the “Royal Ramparts.” The stronghold functioned between 770-1030 AD. The Slavs left behind tens of thousands of artifacts, including a magnificent silver treasure containing a sword scabbard fitting – a masterpiece of early medieval craftsmanship.
To protect and make the site accessible to tourists, the Archaeological Open-Air Museum “Carpathian Troy” was established in Trzcinica as a branch of the Podkarpackie Museum in Krosno. The idea for the museum was conceived by Jan Gancarski, director of the Podkarpackie Museum. Carpathian Troy uniquely combines traditional open-air museum elements with modern museum facilities. The entire complex consists of the hillfort area and an archaeological park at its base. At the hillfort, over 150 meters of defensive ramparts, two gates (from the Bronze Age and early Middle Ages), and six huts have been reconstructed. The archaeological park features reconstructions of an Otomani village from the early Bronze Age and a Slavic village from the early Middle Ages. There is also a modern exhibition pavilion with a spacious display area, a functional conference room, a multimedia educational room for children, a cozy “Little Explorer’s Room” for preschoolers, and catering facilities serving dishes based on our ancestors’ culinary traditions. All this is enriched by an attractive cultural program and a unique atmosphere guaranteeing unforgettable experiences.
