EN
Methodology frequently offers various models which are to explain the reality of the past. It depends on the researcher’s willingness only, if she or he refers to the available tools which enable them to ask new scientific questions or to draw new conclusions. Using the Central Place Theory (CPT) by Walter Christaller, the author strives to prove that the medieval settlement pattern was by no means chaotic. On the contrary, it produced a coherent and logical system. The entire deliberation was subordinated to the role of oppidum. Pobiedziska, examined by the author, fitted into this town category in the administrative and political network of medieval Greater Poland. The study was focused on the most important centres of that region, which had created its core, so called “Greater Poland’s heart”. The settlement image used to change on this area, therefore several stages of its development have been singled out. Hence the following phases have been created: a) phase 1 – the turn of the 10th century. The main centres are the strongholds with palatia (Latin plural for palace) like Poznań and Ostrów Lednicki (Lednica Holm); b) phase 2 – first half of the 11th century. The above structure incorporates Giecz, where the palatium was being built; c) phase 3 – the half of the 13th century. Large towns are the most prominent centres: Poznań, Gniezno, Pyzdry and Kalisz; an expanded version includes Kościan as well; d) phase 4 – the half of the 15th century. The economic development results in three main cities, i.e. Poznań, Kościan and Kalisz; e) phase 5 – the end of the 18th century. Poznań is first and most essential centre of Greater Poland but Gniezno and Kalisz are also eminent. CPT has been applied to the first three phases. Due to the implemented model, the significance and the role played by different medieval centres and subsequent towns in the past have been introduced. During the work on cities, the attention was also paid to the Thiessen polygons. However, with a small number of centres, the diagrams turned out not to be useful as they do not show more exact range of the city’s influence. Application of CPT into the settlement research gave satisfactory and fruitful results and it portends well for the future. The implemented model is also worthy of being enriched with the details connected with less momentous centres.