JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1364 by Casimir III the Great, the Jagiellonian University is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe.

The Studium Generale – as the University was then called – comprised three faculties: of liberal arts, medicine and law. After the king’s death, the University ceased to exist, but  it was not the end as the University was re-founded by Queen Jadwiga and King Ladislaus Jagiełło.   At that time also 4th faculty was added -Theology.

As the University grew larger it required new premises and ony then the building known today as the Collegium Maius, with its quadrangle and beautiful arcade, was adapted  to University’s needs.

Architecture of each of the University’s buildings is absolutely stunning and is a great example of gothic & neo gothic styles.

For several centuries, virtually the entire intellectual elite of Poland were educated at the university,

Notable alumni include, among others, mathematician and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, poet Jan Kochanowski, Polish king John III Sobieski, constitutional reformer Hugo Kołłątaj, chemist Karol Olszewski, anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski, writer Stanisław Lem.

Among its students who did not earn a diploma were also Karol Wojtyła, future Pope John Paul II (studying Polish philology for one year), and Nobel laureates Wisława Szymborska.

This is just a foretaste of the history of this institution 🙂 If you would like to hear more   it’s time for a sightseeing!