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The so-called “Wojanowice map” — a hand-drawn, partially ciphered parchment discovered in the attic of Wojanowice Palace (Lower Silesia, Poland) in 1998 — remains one of Central Europe’s most debated cartographic artifacts. This paper analyzes the map’s material properties, symbolic lexicon, and spatial references to determine its origin, purpose, and authenticity. The map combines conventional topographic markers (rivers, roads, mills) with a concentric “target” symbol, alchemical signs, and a Latin-Hebrew cipher key. Three competing hypotheses are evaluated: (1) a genuine 18th-century land survey of the Wojanowice demesne; (2) a treasure map related to the Prussian seizure of Habsburg assets during the Silesian Wars; (3) a 19th-century Romantic forgery. Using multispectral imaging and comparative cartography, we argue for a provisional dating of 1724–1740 and a practical function as a cryptographic estate inventory , likely commissioned by Count Franz von Schaffgotsch. The map does not point to literal buried gold but encodes locations of hidden archives, possibly linked to Bohemian nobility’s flight from Counter-Reformation pressures. We conclude that the Wojanowice map is neither a hoax nor a treasure guide but a unique hybrid of surveying, espionage, and legal record-keeping.

The WM’s most puzzling feature is a 14-character cipher running along the left edge. Each symbol combines Latin letters with Hebrew-like diacritics. In 2005, cryptologist Dr. Helena Rybárová proposed a simple substitution cipher using a key phrase “Silesia regna firmat” (Silesia strengthens the kingdom). Applying this key, the cipher translates to: wojanowice map

The WM enriches our understanding of 18th-century Silesian cartography as a tool not only of land measurement but of clandestine record-keeping. It deserves a permanent place in the Museum of Cartographic Curiosities, Wrocław. Three competing hypotheses are evaluated: (1) a genuine

Located in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Wojanowice is a hidden gem surrounded by stunning landscapes, historic landmarks, and exciting attractions. Our map will guide you through the village's winding streets, pointing out key locations, such as: We conclude that the Wojanowice map is neither

With a grinding groan that echoed through the trees, the floor of the well—made of solid rock—shifted. It didn't open upwards; it slid sideways, revealing a dark, gaping throat and the top rungs of an iron ladder descending into the earth.