By the Internet presentation we would like to encourage you to visit the exhibition “Krakow the European City of the Magdeburg Law 1257-1791” which can be seen at the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow (Krzysztofory Palace, 35 Main Market Square). The exhibition was prepared jointly by three institutions: the State Archive in Krakow, Historical Museum of the City of Krakow and Krakow Heritage Society and it presents the 534 years of our city’s history from 5 June 1257, the moment of the issuing of the foundation charter for Krakow under Magdeburg Law by Prince Boleslaus the Chaste (Bolesław Wstydliwy,1226-1279) until 18 April 1791, the day of the enactment by the Four-Year Sejm (National Assembly) of the Law on Cities, which put an end to the functioning of German law in Poland.
During the walk through the museum, visitors can become acquainted with various aspects of life in a city ruled by Magdeburg Law. It is possible to trace the growth of the layout of the Krakow urban complex, learn about local government institutions, and about the issues connected with judicial system. The visitor can also trace economic life with its craft and guild organisations, and also learn about the city trade and its great trade in transit. The exhibition also concentrates on the defensive capabilities of the city and what a city tenement house and everyday life looked like. Lastly some aspects of intellectual and religious life, the contemporary culture and issues concerning the importance burgher’s patronage are examined.
Thanks to the kindness of many Polish and foreign institutions we are able to present some of the most precious artefacts of the epoch, that is, Krakow under the rule of Magdeburg Law. Some of these objects are being exhibited for the first time, for example the interesting archaeological finds discovered during the recent excavations in our city. We are also pleased to be presenting for the first time in Poland exhibits from Magdeburg.
We also have pleasure in showing the results of the work of the team of experts who have used recent scientific and technological developments to reconstruct Krakow's urban complex from the times of its greatest prosperity in the second half of the 17th century and Krakow's Maket in the second half of the 18th century. Several other buildings important for the city its City Hall, All Saints Church and a burgher’s tenement house called Krzysztofory Palace have also been reconstructed. Their work is presented in the form of maps and computer visualisations.
For visitors to this exhibition who are interested in visiting the basement of the Krzysztofory Palace we are able to make accessible the oldest part of the burgher’s tenement house.
We warmly welcome you to visit the exhibition
5 June - 19 November 2007
Historical Museum of the City of Krakow
Krzysztofory Palace
35 Main Market Square