Slavic fortification ruins destroyed by mining near Calau, Germany.
Tornow Gord, also known as Slawenburg Tornow, was a Slavic fortification in Niederlausitz, Germany. Established in the late 9th century, it was destroyed by fire during the Liutizen uprising of 983. The site was completely obliterated by lignite mining between the 1960s and 1980s.
Tornow Gord, also known as Slawenburg Tornow, was a Slavic fortification located in the Niederlausitz region, near the village of Tornow, which is now part of Calau in Brandenburg, Germany. This ring-shaped fortification was originally constructed in the late 9th century, although earlier theories suggested it might have been built as early as the 7th century. The site was situated on a flat, marshy peninsula, making it naturally defensible, especially during wet seasons when the surrounding area was impassable. The fortification served as a refuge and was part of a larger settlement that existed until the High Middle Ages. The fort was destroyed by fire, likely during the Liutizen uprising in 983, and was not rebuilt thereafter. Excavations revealed that the fort was constructed using a unique wooden framework filled with earth, with a protective clay coating to prevent weather damage. The fort included a water-filled moat and a tunnel-like entrance. The associated settlement, known as Tornow A, housed around 300 people and featured a central courtyard with a well and grain mill. The entire site was eventually destroyed due to lignite mining activities between the 1960s and 1980s, erasing its physical presence from the landscape.
