the town of legnica became famous for the battle of legnica that took place at the nearby village of legnickie pole on 9 april 1241, during the mongol invasion of poland. a christian army led by the polish high duke henry ii the pious, supported by the feudal nobility including poles, bavarian miners and military orders, was decisively defeated by the mongols. although henry was killed and his forces defeated, their advance into europe was halted when they turned back to attend to the election of a new khagan (grand khan) following the death of ögedei khan in the same year. minor celebrations are held annually in legnica to commemorate the battle.