In central Poland, far to the north and to the east from later medieval cities there is a lake called Gopło with a town by its shores (Kruszwica). There was a pagan centre here once and the location is still surrounded by Slavic myths and legends recorded by medieval chroniclers. They speak of a castle which once stood there and a king who killed all his relatives out fear that he would have to share his power with them. From their dead bodies, the 13th C. chronicle continues, mice have hatched who devoured the king, his wife and sons alive. Among the waters surrounding the castle, another source records, lived a beautiful water nymph named Goplana. Through her magic, she helped local people who in return did not let any harm to be done to her. Thus, even after local people adopted Christianity they still remembered the magic of this lake. They brought masons from afar and ordered a strong stone church to be built on the lakes shores. A large Romanesque basilica with a transept, three naves and two towers at its western end. This is this church; constructed in the early 12th century it is one of the few early medieval churches to have survived with little alteration in Poland. Dedicated to St. Peter and Paul, it is today a collegiate church although it probably served as a cathedral in the past as a bishop is recorded residing here in 1133. Apart from 3 Romanesque portals, the church in Kruszwica is also known for the numerous early medieval mason marks adorning its walls.
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