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Monument to Dog Jock

The Monument to Dog Jock is a sculpture in Kraków, located on Czerwieński Boulevard between Wawel and the Grunwald Bridge. It was installed on 26 May 2001 and created by the Polish sculptor Bronisław Chromy. The monument commemorates Jock, a black mixed-breed dog remembered for waiting for his owner for a year after the man died near the Grunwald Roundabout. The sculpture shows the dog inside two hands, extending its left paw toward a person. An inscription on the pedestal describes Jock as a symbol of dog loyalty. City authorities have planned to move the monument a short distance because the current site is intended for a future monument to the soldiers of the Home Army.

Bronze Monument to Dog Jock sculpture showing a dog nestled between two large hands on a stone pedestal in a park.
The Monument to Dog Jock depicts a bronze dog held in two large hands on a pedestal in a grassy park.
September 2024 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Monument to Dog Jock bronze sculpture of a dog nestled in large human hands on a stone base.
The Monument to Dog Jock shows a bronze dog cradled in stylized human hands, with a plaque on the base.
June 2007 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Monument to Dog Jock bronze sculpture of a small dog cradled in large human hands on a stone pedestal in a park.
The Monument to Dog Jock shows a small bronze dog held in large human hands, set on a stone pedestal in a park.
July 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Monument to Dog Jock, a bronze sculpture of a dog held in two open hands on a stone base.
Monument to Dog Jock in a park setting, showing the bronze dog sculpture cradled in open hands.
June 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Person standing beside the Monument to Dog Jock, a dark sculpture of a dog held by stylized hands, decorated with a red ribbon and greenery.
The Monument to Dog Jock in Kraków, shown with floral decoration in a sunny park setting.
September 2005 © · CC BY-SA 1.0

Identification

TitleMemorial to the Dog Dżok
Original Polish namePomnik psa Dżoka
Typememorial monument
SubjectDżok, a black mixed-breed dog

Historical context

Commemorated storyDżok waited for his owner for about a year in 1990–1991 at Rondo Grunwaldzkie after his owner died there of a heart attack in October 1990
Associated legendThe story of Dżok is considered by some to be one of Kraków's legends

Creator

SculptorBronisław Chromy

Location and ownership

Current locationCzerwieński Boulevard on the Vistula Boulevards, Kraków, Poland, between Wawel Castle and the Grunwald Bridge
Planned relocationThe city authorities plan to move the monument a few dozen meters to make way for a planned monument to Home Army soldiers at the current site

Discovery and provenance

Organization involved in creationKraków Society for the Protection and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
People involved in supportZbigniew Wodecki, Jerzy Połomski, Krzysztof Cugowski, and actor Krzysztof Piasecki
Approval processLocal authorities initially did not approve the installation, but approval was secured through media involvement and support from Kraków's artistic intelligentsia
Installation date26 May 2001

Physical characteristics

PoseThe dog extends its left paw toward the viewer
FormA small memorial sculpture showing a dog nestled inside two outstretched human hands

Iconography and meaning

SymbolismSymbolizes canine loyalty and the bond between animals and humans
InscriptionDog Dżok. The most faithful of the faithful, a symbol of canine loyalty. In 1990–1991 he waited at the Grunwald Roundabout for his owner, who died at this place.
Inscription languagePolish and English

History and restoration

Unveiling date26 May 2001
Unveiling performed byA German shepherd named Kety
People present at unveilingAndrzej Gołaś, Janusz Wojciechowski, Agata Buzek, and Teresa Starmach
Artistic accompaniment at unveilingZPiT "Małe Słowianki"

Other

Public reaction to Dżok's storyHe was fed by the inhabitants of Kraków and aroused curiosity and sympathy
Later caretakerMaria Müller, the widow of Władysław Müller
Maria Müller's deathApril 1998
Dog's deathAfter escaping from Maria Müller's house, he was killed under a passing train
Related books"Dżok – najnowsza legenda Krakowa" (2007); "Dżok. Legenda o psiej wierności" (2007); "Pies Dżok. Najwierniejszy z wiernych"
Related television productionA documentary impression about the dog Dżok produced in 1991 by the Kraków branch of Telewizja Polska