Tradycje i przyszłość Polskiego Panteonu Narodowego

Traditions and future of Poland's National Pantheon

Summary: Every nation has made an attempt to build a national pantheon. In keeping with ancient tradition, the Roman Emperor Hadrian built a national pantheon in 125 A.D. in order to honor the gods. Seven gods that were considered guardians of Rome were to be honored: Jupiter, Mars, Neptune, Venus, Mercury, Pluto, Saturn. The National Pantheon of Rome is still standing. Other nations followed suit and built national pantheons for their heroes. Almost every European country established a tradition of burying the remains of important rulers at selected sites - usually holy sites associated with coronations. The National Pantheon of Poland has a history as complicated as the history of Poland itself. Over the course of the first few centuries of Polish statehood, a number of cities were considered as potential sites for a national pantheon. Krakow was finally selected as the site for this type of institution. The pantheon in Krakow possesses a number of unique characteristics that differentiate it from other pantheons in Poland. The National Pantheon of Poland located in Krakow has been associated with Wawel Castle for centuries. It is the site of the Burial Ground of Polish Kings, the Burial Ground of National Heroes and the Crypt of the Great Writers. On May 19, 1880 the Crypt of National Heroes at Skalka Monastery also became part of the National Pantheon. In late 2009 the addition of a new national burial site was considered - the cellars of the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul - along Royal Road, which is today called Grodzka Street. The new burial ground for Great Poles is very close to the national burial ground at Wawel Castle and could serve as a complementary site for future burials. The proponents of this idea wish the new additions to the National Pantheon would serve as burial grounds for individuals who have had great achievements in the fields of culture, art and science, and have helped Poland gain recognition throughout the world. In this sense, the new additions would continue the great tradition established by the Crypt of National Heroes at Skalka Monastery 130 years ago. The opening of the Crypt of Great Poles is planned for September 27, 2012. The date i s not coincidental - it is the 400th anniversary of the death of Fr. Piotr Skarga. All matters associated with the Crypt of Great Poles are handled the National Pantheon Foundation, which was established on May 31, 2010. The Foundation was established by eleven public universities in Krakow as well as the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Archdiocese of Krakow.

Peregrinus Cracoviensis, 2011, z. 22, s. 25-48.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

ISSN 1425-1922

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