Grunwald Jubilees

Grunwald Jubilees

On 15 July 1410, the combined forces of Poland, Lithuania-Rus’ and Smolensk, supported by Czech, Moldavian and Tatar knights, defeated the mighty Teutonic Order at Grunwald. “King Władysław and all the clergy and laity after reaching a unanimous decision approved the universally binding resolution that Dispersion of the Saints Day (15 July) would be solemnly celebrated as a national holiday in the whole of the Polish Kingdom” – we read in the mediaeval Annals of Jan Długosz. This first Polish national holiday was celebrated with particular reverence in Kraków.

The celebrations had a special character in 1910. The most important point in the three-day cycle of events was the unveiling of a memorial featuring the leader of the victorious forces at Grunwald, Jagiełło, funded by Ignacy Jan Paderewski. After a hundred years, the city is celebrating again and the programme is linked to the concurrent 600th anniversary of the Kraków Merchant Congregation and the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Grunwald Memorial.

The main events will be taking place in July and September. On 17 July the celebrations will be organised by the Fowler Brotherhood. On this day a Paderewski Memorial funded by the brotherhood will be unveiled in Strzelecki Park. The Kraków Merchant Congregation will be inviting Cracovians and tourists to a 600th anniversary Fair on the Main Market Square (16-25 July). Then, planned for September are celebrations at the Grunwald Memorial marking the anniversary of its unveiling (11 September), capped off by a march to the Main Market Square and an open air re-enactment entitled Triumph of the Polish Knighthood at the Battle of Grunwald, as well as an international academic conference, taking place in Kraków and Malbork, the Teutonic Knights’ original base. Accompanying the celebrations will be special publications, including a replica of Jan Długosz’s Banderia Prutenorum – the oldest mediaeval book of trophies, presenting descriptions and likenesses of the Teutonic Knights’ standards captured at Grunwald.  



For Our Forefathers’ Glory – For Our Brothers to Take Heart
The exhibition in the Museum of the History of Photography with this title will be transporting us back in time to the events taking place in Kraków on 15-17 July 1910. These were the most splendid patriotic anniversary celebrations that had ever taken place and featured many invited guests, including numerous foreign delegations. The unveiling of the Jagiełło monument, sport demonstrations by members of the local branch of the Sokół Sports Association, a ceremonial march from the Błonia Park to Wawel – these and many other events can be seen today thanks to (often anonymous) photographers. The second outdoor exposition recalls the history of the Grunwald Memorial, from its creation through to its destruction by the Nazis, reconstruction in 1976 and how it fared in modern times. (dd)

For Our Forefathers’ Glory – For Our Brothers to Take Heart
Museum of the History of Photography

The History of the Grunwald Memorial
Planty Park by the Barbican
both exhibitions open: 13 July – 26 September


See also "Grunwald 2010" project at the Royal Wawel Castle.