Legends concerning the foundation of Mława
| The beginnings of the existence of Mława are veiled in mystery. There is no precise information about the original village that was the starting point of nowadays Mława and about the character of this village. It is believed that before the foundation of Mława there existed a trade settlement which started to develop. The folk legends mention a very beautiful and wise woman called Mława. She was a wife of one of Czech stove- makers who settled down in this region well-known for its top quality clay. |
| Once upon a time the citizens who were very depressed and tired of constant attacks of the Teutonic Knights came to Mława for advice. It is worth adding the that the Teutonic Knights were brought to Poland by Duke Konrad Mazowiecki. The citizens were unsure of Duke's reaction if they were to attack the knights. They claimed that they couldn't attack someone whose armour and swords are marked with a cross. But the wise Czech woman answered them that the cross protected only good and honourable people and not villains and malefactors even though the cross is a sign of God. She advised them to defend themselves. The citizens were very happy with the advice they had received from Mława. Since then every time the local people went to the main village they say they were going to Mława. This is how the name of the present Mława was created. |
| This legend, written by Konstanty Bolest- Modliński, has a form of a poem. It refers mostly to historical events connected with the Teutonic Knights, who were indeed brought to Poland by Duke Konrad of Mazovia. |
| More convincing, however, seems to be another legend about Mława referring to the geographic name of the land, the land that is located by the spring of river "Mławka", which was formerly known as "Muława". With this version of the name the second legend, written by Marta Zarecka Sielawa, is connected. |
| The legend describes fog, which is a characteristic phenomenon often met in this part of the country. |
