The history of the Jagiellonian university: The history of Krakow

Résumé du document

Since its foundation in 1364, the University of Krakow has known a destiny unique of its kind. It was the second university created in Central Europe after the one in Prague – created in 1348 - and before many others afterward like in Vienna (1365), Pécs (1367), and Erfurt (1379). All along the stormy history of Poland, the first Polish University has always managed to survive, resisted and nearly never stopped functioning, even during the worst periods. The characters the Cracovians are ever so proud of have mostly studied in the Jagiellonian University, such as Mikolaj Kopernik and of course Karol Wojtyla, but also we will see that the University has participated in the most important historical events of the town and even of the country.

Extraits

[...] The 18th of January 1945, the official end of the Nazi occupation, most facilities of the University had been destroyed, removed, or taken to Germany. Yet in February 1945, the lectures started again officially, with students registered. The first three post-war years were a period of great reconstruction and expansion of the University, with for instance the new Collegium Chemicum. But from 1948, started another last terrible period for the University. The Polish United Workers' Party also had a control on University life. [...]

[...] More than six centuries after its creation, the Jagiellonian has maintained all of its old traditions. For instance, the treasury of the University which is preciously hidden in the Museum in Collegium Maius is still used for the processions of the starting academic year, especially the scepters of the Rector. The authorities have always succeeded in preserving and hiding the treasury, especially from the Nazis. In the same way, the refectory and the library of the old part of the University, in Collegium Maius are still used for special occasions, as well as the Assembly Hall also called Lectorium Theologium. [...]

[...] The memory of those difficult periods is important, but the famous students that went through the Jagiellonian University when they were young constitute the pride of the University, still today. The last portrait that will probably ever hang on the walls of the Assembly Hall of Collegium Maius is the one of Jan Pawel II who received the title of Major of the University. Bibliography - Casimir Morawski, “Histoire de l'Université de Cracovie. Moyen Âge et Renaissance”. Paris - Website of the university : http://www.uj.edu.pl/dispatch.jsp?item=uniwersytet/historia/historiatxt. [...]

[...] Research was inhibited and the University suffered from severe financial cuts. Even though some professors were dismissed, the University could still boast the best professors, amongst whom Karol Wojtila in Theology. The death of Stalin in 1956 was a turning point in this period, and some professors came back. In 1964, the University celebrated its 600th birthday. At that occasion, it started again some expansion of its infrastructure with the new buildings for the institutes of Physics, Biology, Zoology, Geography and Modern Languages. [...]

[...] The Jagiellonian University had also to face difficult political situations especially during the siege of Krakow in 1655. Yet, during all of these crises, the authorities boasted the best professors of the kingdom and in Central Europe. It also managed to establish a large network with other faculties and schools, which were nicknamed "Academic colonies". The XVIIth saw the introduction of the teaching of French and German, and the use of Polish language in Law, Geography and Military Engineering. In 1748, the chair of Natural Sciences was created. [...]