A statue of King Przemysł II has been unveiled in Poznań’s Old Town. He was the monarch who restored the crown to Poland after a hiatus of over 200 years, and was the last male descendant of the Greater Poland branch of the Piast dynasty. The sculpture stands on Franciszkańska Street and Przemysł Hill, in the shadow of the controversial Royal Castle. The area is closely linked to the history of medieval Poznań.
The monument to King Przemysł II, remembered by few
The ceremony took place on 20 May and was attended by representatives of the city authorities, the academic community and local residents. Przemysł II was crowned in 1295 as the first King of Poland since the time of Bolesław the Bold. A full 219 years had passed between the two coronations. Historians regard this moment as the symbolic rebirth of the Kingdom of Poland following the period of fragmentation. The monument’s plinth bears the inscription ‘Regni Poloniae Restaurator’, meaning ‘Restorer of the Kingdom of Poland’. Despite his great significance for our history, this monarch is far less well-known than later rulers associated with Kraków. Perhaps this is because Przemysł II reigned for only seven months. He was murdered in Rogoźno during an attack likely carried out by people linked to the Margraves of Brandenburg and some of the powerful families of Greater Poland.
Poznań was a royal seat
In the 13th century, Poznań was one of the most important political centres in the country, whilst the Royal Castle on Przemysł Hill served as a significant residence and the centre of Polish statehood. The monarch resided here. Following his untimely death in 1296, the crown passed to the Czech Přemyslids, and later to Władysław Łokietek, who moved the seat of power to Kraków. Despite this, Poznań Castle retained its high status for a long time to come. It was here that, among other events, the wedding of Casimir the Great and the homage of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, Hans von Tieffen, took place. Over the centuries, the building underwent numerous alterations and reconstructions, most recently following significant damage during the Second World War. In 2013, the ‘reconstruction’ of the former seat of the rulers was completed, the form and quality of which continue to be a subject of debate to this day.
The statue of King Przemysł II next to the Royal Castle
The sculpture of King Przemysł II was created by Stanisław Szwechowicz. The monument was erected on a high plinth at the foot of Przemysł Hill. The project was preceded by archaeological research conducted under the supervision of the conservator of monuments. The monument was funded by Jacek Wojciechowski, who financed the entire undertaking. From today, Poznań’s newest sculpture serves as a reminder of the king who played an extremely important role in the restoration of Polish statehood, yet remained on the margins of historical memory for a long time.
Source:Poznań City Hall
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