Exploring Poland’s Age of Enlightenment.
Spending some time immersed in the baroque beauty and academic triumphs of historic University of Wroclaw.
photo by go-Poland.pl
One of the places in the lovely Stare Miasto (Old Town) where we simply had to return for a more in-depth exploration and which you should add to the top of your list, was the University of Wroclaw. While the University of Wroclaw you know today was founded in 1945, it has contributed to the academic world as an institute of higher learning for centuries.
The oldest mention of a university in Wrocław comes from the foundation deed signed on July 20, 1505, by King Vladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary, the deed was rejected by the Pope. The first successful founding deed known as the Aurea bulla fundationis Universitatis Wratislaviensis was signed two centuries later, on October 1, 1702, by the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I of the House of Austria, King of Hungary and Bohemia.
The oldest mention of a university in Wrocław comes from the foundation deed signed on July 20, 1505, by King Vladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary, the deed was rejected by the Pope. The first successful founding deed known as the Aurea bulla fundationis Universitatis Wratislaviensis was signed two centuries later, on October 1, 1702, by the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I of the House of Austria, King of Hungary and Bohemia.
Structures have existed on the site since 1638 and the ogiginal structures were converted into a Jesuit school. They were donated to be a university in 1702 by Emperor Leopold I as a School of Philosophy and Catholic Theology. The magnificent Baroque main building of Wrocław University and the adjacent University Church of the Blessed Name of Jesus that stand today were built at the same time on the former site of a derelict Piast castle after a land grant from Emperor Leopold.
At that time, Wroclaw known as Breslau by the many German settlers in the city. Breslau would later become the town’s official name during Prussian rule. As a Catholic institute in what was then a thoroughly Protestant city, the new university was an important instrument of the Counter-Reformation in Silesia.
At that time, Wroclaw known as Breslau by the many German settlers in the city. Breslau would later become the town’s official name during Prussian rule. As a Catholic institute in what was then a thoroughly Protestant city, the new university was an important instrument of the Counter-Reformation in Silesia.
Original Plan for the University
River View Exterior of University of Wroclaw
The exterior of the university that looks away from the river toward the "Stare Miasto" Old Town is festooned with curved sculptural decoration, colorful doors and sparkling metallic highlights.
The interiors of the university’s administrative formal secular and sacred spaces are stunning. You must see the fabulous “Aula Leopoldynska” (Leopold Hall), and the neighboring University Church of the Blessed Name of Jesus.
The rooms are decorated with an explosion of exquisite Baroque splendor, rich sculptures, moldings and trompe l’oeil. There are works by master artisans F.J. Mangoldt (sculpture), J.Ch. Handke (frescos), I.A. Provisore (moldings).
The rooms are decorated with an explosion of exquisite Baroque splendor, rich sculptures, moldings and trompe l’oeil. There are works by master artisans F.J. Mangoldt (sculpture), J.Ch. Handke (frescos), I.A. Provisore (moldings).
"Aula Leopoldynska" (Leopold Hall)
Your eyes will be immediately drawn to the upper half of the stunning "Aula Leopoldynska" (Leopold Hall). That is where all the Baroque action leaps out.
"Oratorium Marianum" (Music Hall)
The "Oratorium Marianum" (Music Hall), was built in the years 1728-1741 as a convent chapel. After the secularization of the Jesuit order and establishment of the first incarnation of the University in 1811, the interior became a Music Hall. (Sala Muzyczna) and was where Franz Liszt, Henryk Wieniawski and many others gave their concerts. Chopin, Weber, Brahms, Wagner, and Strauss also all visited Wroclaw and could possibly have played in Musical Room.
Chopin visited Wroclaw four times and mentioned in a letter how very taken he was by the lovely town during his 1830 visit and he performed one of his few (approx. 30) public performances in the city.
The composer Richard Wagner arrived in Wroclaw in December of 1863, and on December 7th he conducted fragments of his dramas, including the love song from "Tristan and Isolde".
Johannes Brahms composed his "Academic Festival Overture" to the honor of the University of Wroclaw after he was given an Honorary Doctorate degree by the university on March14, 1879.
Johannes Brahms composed his "Academic Festival Overture" to the honor of the University of Wroclaw after he was given an Honorary Doctorate degree by the university on March14, 1879.
I like to imagine them playing for an appreciative audience in the beautifully painted and gilded room!
Franz Liszt Frederic Chopin Johannes Brahms Richard Wagner
University Church of the Blessed Name of Jesus
The Late Baroque University Church of the Blessed Name of Jesus has been ranked among the most beautiful in Central Europe. Part of the old Piast castle structure which originally occupied the location can still be seen in the northern sacristy in the alcove at the far end of the church.
The interior is painted to imitate marble and gilt and most of the furnishings are original. When you look up you can see the fresco on the vaults which include 18th-century depictions of natives from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.
The interior is painted to imitate marble and gilt and most of the furnishings are original. When you look up you can see the fresco on the vaults which include 18th-century depictions of natives from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.
The University of Wroclaw has struggled much through its long history.
The Austrian-Prussian war in 1741 saw the campus transformed into a hospital, a prison, and finally, in 1757, a food store.
In 1811, Prussia secularized all church property and took over administration of the university.
During WWII Nazi influence temporarily destroyed the liberal inclusive academic atmosphere of the university as both Polish and Jewish students were banned from attending and scholarly pursuits were toward the war effort and Nazi culture. In the dying days of WWII, the university library was turned into a makeshift HQ for the occupying Nazis.
After the Siege of Breslau, the Soviet Red Army took the city in May 1945. The German population fled or was expelled. Breslau, now known as Wroclaw, became part of the Republic of Poland.
The first Polish team of academics arrived in Wrocław in late May 1945 and took custody of the university buildings, The German faculty were driven out and replaced by professors arriving from the University of Lwów forming the first Polish faculty to teach here.
The Austrian-Prussian war in 1741 saw the campus transformed into a hospital, a prison, and finally, in 1757, a food store.
In 1811, Prussia secularized all church property and took over administration of the university.
During WWII Nazi influence temporarily destroyed the liberal inclusive academic atmosphere of the university as both Polish and Jewish students were banned from attending and scholarly pursuits were toward the war effort and Nazi culture. In the dying days of WWII, the university library was turned into a makeshift HQ for the occupying Nazis.
After the Siege of Breslau, the Soviet Red Army took the city in May 1945. The German population fled or was expelled. Breslau, now known as Wroclaw, became part of the Republic of Poland.
The first Polish team of academics arrived in Wrocław in late May 1945 and took custody of the university buildings, The German faculty were driven out and replaced by professors arriving from the University of Lwów forming the first Polish faculty to teach here.
Photo by inyourpocket.com
Muzeum Uniwersyteckie (University Museum)
The Muzeum Uniwersyteckie (University Museum) displays a wide collection of paintings, historical artifacts and literature which tell the story of this impressive university. The displays are full of interesting and unusual objects from the history of academia.
Past professors include Alois Alzheimer (the man who gave his name to the disease) and Robert Bunsen (who did NOT invent the Bunsen burner but improved it to such a degree that it was named in his honor). Since the start of the 20th century, the university has produced a remarkable 9 Nobel Prize winners.
Past professors include Alois Alzheimer (the man who gave his name to the disease) and Robert Bunsen (who did NOT invent the Bunsen burner but improved it to such a degree that it was named in his honor). Since the start of the 20th century, the university has produced a remarkable 9 Nobel Prize winners.
The Mathematical Tower
When you have explored the museum, be sure to head up the stairs to rooftop and the Mathematical Tower. The Mathematical Tower has a wonderful viewpoint terrace. The tower is the old Astronomic Observatory, created in 1791 by Jesuit professor L.A. Jungnitz. On the floor you can see a meridian line. It is the only instrument of this type in Poland. The views from the terrace are well worth the effort of the climb. Wroclaw is stunning from this vantage point!
photo by Skjtravel.net
photo byLocal-life.com
The Ossolineum (Library)
Last but certainly not least for those who love libraries is the The Ossolineum which houses Poland’s second largest library collection and was founded in 1817 by Jozef Maksymilian a nobleman, politician, writer and researcher who devoted his life to building and cataloguing an extremely rich collection
The Ossolineum became one of the most important research centers on history and Polish literature, with one of the biggest book collections in Poland as well as a large collection of manuscripts and autographs including medieval manuscripts and oldest prints.
The library has the biggest Polish department and attempts to present the complete Polish scientific and literary oeuvre. The Ossolineum is the owner of manuscripts of the foremost Polish writers and poets. The portion of the collection that resides in Wroclaw was moved there in 1947.
The Ossolineum became one of the most important research centers on history and Polish literature, with one of the biggest book collections in Poland as well as a large collection of manuscripts and autographs including medieval manuscripts and oldest prints.
The library has the biggest Polish department and attempts to present the complete Polish scientific and literary oeuvre. The Ossolineum is the owner of manuscripts of the foremost Polish writers and poets. The portion of the collection that resides in Wroclaw was moved there in 1947.
Photo by Ossolineum.pl
Photo by Wroclaw.pl
Photo by Wroclaw.pl
While extremely interesting and fun to visit as a museum, Wroclaw University remains a functioning modern institute and teaches thousands of students every year. These students are a lively addition to Wroclaw that makes this historic city a really fun place to vist!
