Birów Mountain is currently the most interesting tourist stronghold of the rocky and upland type with relics of sectional ramparts. On the basis of ongoing archaeological research, it has been possible tofairly accurately determine the appearance of the former defensive establishment built at this location and known as "Wolf's Jaw." Due to the fact that the top of the hill was formed by nature in such a way that it is mostly surrounded by rock spurs forming cliffs that are inaccessible from below, this place inherently has highly defensive characteristics. The mighty rock blocks surrounding the open space not only protected the fortified settlement's timber buildings, but their summit also provided a great vantage point. The top of the hill was therefore fortified only in the parts not protected by the rock spurs by closing off the free space between the rocks with a sectional rampart. This was especially true of the southeastern slope of the hill. The longest section of the rampart ran through here. The entrance to the fortress area was on the opposite northwestern side and led uphill between rocky thresholds that formed a kind of vagrant, complemented by short sections of ramparts. Here the rocks are arranged in a kind of natural fore-gate or barbican, making it even more difficult to capture the fortress. The medieval fortifications at the top of the mountain took the form of a sectional rampart of stone, wood and clay construction. In one section, on the northwest side, a stone wall on lime-sand mortar was used. In the southeastern corner of the defensive establishment, traces of an unknown object were found, possibly having the form of a large wooden structure, connected to the rampart enclosing the fortress area on the southern side. The lack of traces of buildings on the maypole indicates the presence of buildings only at the foot of the ramparts, which was supposed to increase the security of the buildings.
01.06.2014
