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Adam Mickiewicz Monument, Kraków

Adam Mickiewicz Monument in Kraków is one of the best-known bronze statues in Poland and a popular meeting place on the Main Market Square in the Old Town. Locals also call it “Adaś,” a diminutive of Adam. The statue honors Adam Mickiewicz, regarded as the greatest Polish Romantic poet of the 19th century, and was unveiled on 16 June 1898, the 100th anniversary of his birth, in the presence of his daughter and son. It was designed by Teodor Rygier. At the poet’s feet, four allegorical groups represent the Fatherland, Science, Courage, and Poetry, and the pedestal bears an inscription dedicating the monument to Adam Mickiewicz and the nation.

Adam Mickiewicz Monument with a bronze standing figure on a tall pedestal, framed by historic buildings and a blue sky.
The Adam Mickiewicz Monument stands in a historic square surrounded by ornate buildings.
© · CC BY 3.0
Adam Mickiewicz Monument with bronze figures and an eagle in Kraków’s main square
The Adam Mickiewicz Monument stands in Kraków’s main square, framed by historic buildings on a clear day.
August 2009 © · CC BY 2.0
Adam Mickiewicz Monument in a paved square, with bronze figures on a tall pedestal and an ornate building behind it.
The Adam Mickiewicz Monument stands in a busy Kraków square beneath the facade of a historic building.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
Adam Mickiewicz Monument on a tall pedestal in Krakow’s market square, with the Cloth Hall and people in the background.
The Adam Mickiewicz Monument stands in Krakow’s Market Square with the Cloth Hall behind it.
© · CC0
Adam Mickiewicz Monument lit at night in a city square with an arcaded building and clock tower behind it.
The Adam Mickiewicz Monument stands illuminated in the square at night, with the historic arcaded building visible in the background.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

NameAdam Mickiewicz Monument in Kraków
Alternative nameAdaś
Original Polish namePomnik Adama Mickiewicza
TypeBronze statue and monument
StyleAcademic style
SubjectAdam Mickiewicz

Historical context

PurposeIn honor of Adam Mickiewicz, the great Polish Romantic poet of the 19th century
Commemorated occasionCentenary of Adam Mickiewicz's birth
Competition period1880–1890

Creator

Other artists in the competitionMore than 60 artists competed, including Jan Matejko, Tomasz Dykas, Walery Gadomski, Antoni Kurzawa, Cyprian Godebski, and Pius Weloński
Competition resultRygier received second place, but his design was ultimately chosen for execution
Designer descriptionA little-known sculptor of the time
Designer / sculptorTeodor Rygier

Discovery and provenance

Contract dateNovember 1889
Cost164,000 zlotys
FundingMost of the cost was raised through public donations and collections
Casting locationRome
FoundryNelli company
Workshop / production siteA studio on Długa Street, under the supervision of an artistic committee
InspirationPartially inspired by the transfer of Mickiewicz's remains to Kraków in 1890; the original idea was developed by university students

Physical characteristics

Height10 m
Depicted formA standing poet on a pedestal
Depicted elementsAdam Mickiewicz, four allegorical figures, and an eagle

Materials

Pedestal materialGranodiorite from Piława Górna in Lower Silesia
Main materialBronze

Technique

Production methodCast

Appearance

Allegorical figuresFour figures symbolizing Homeland, Science, Courage, and Poetry
Allegorical figure representationsHomeland: a young man raising his arm; Poetry: a woman holding a lyre; Science: an old man teaching a young man; Courage: a knight
Allegorical group orientationsHomeland toward Sienna Street; Science toward the north; Courage toward the Cloth Hall; Poetry toward St. Adalbert's Church (south)
Inscription on pedestalAdamowi Mickiewiczowi Naród
Inscription translationTo Adam Mickiewicz, the Nation

Location and ownership

ProminenceOne of the best-known bronze statues in Poland; the most frequently photographed monument in Kraków
DedicationDedicated to Adam Mickiewicz
CountryPoland
Role in the cityOne of the most recognizable symbols of Kraków and a popular meeting place for residents and tourists
Specific locationEastern side of the Main Market Square, between the Cloth Hall and the exit of Sienna Street
LocationMain Market Square, Kraków, Poland

History and restoration

Unveiling date16 June 1898
Unveiling contextUnveiled in the centenary year of Adam Mickiewicz's birth
People present at unveilingMickiewicz's daughter and son
Destruction date17 August 1940
Destroyed byGerman occupation authorities
Reconstruction date26 November 1955
Reconstruction contextRebuilt in the centenary year of Adam Mickiewicz's death
Recovery of original figuresMost of the figures were recovered in 1946 from a scrapyard in Hamburg (a Glockenfriedhof) and reassembled
Restoration significanceRecovery of most figures allowed the monument to be restored to its original appearance

Significance

Symbolic meaningA symbol of Polish culture
Customs and traditionsDecorated with flowers on Christmas Eve by Kraków florists, and with bouquets at the base on Saint Adam's feast day
Recent decorationDuring Euro 2012, the monument was decorated with cockades in the national colors of Poland and of the teams playing their matches that day