Adam Mickiewicz Monument, Krakow

Dominating the Main Market Square of Krakow's historic Old District stands the monument commemorating the renowned figure of the early 19th century, Adam Mickiewicz. Acknowledged as a paramount romantic poet in Poland's chronicles, Adam Mickiewicz is frequently hailed as a national luminary. His composition 'Pan Tadeusz' is also hailed as a Polish national saga, representing the pinnacle of creation from the Polish-Lithuanian heritage.

Adam Mickiewicz, one of the Three Bards, lived and toiled in exile during the partition of Poland, emerging as a national hero. His fervent dedication to Poland's struggle for freedom, transpiring within the domain of the Russian Empire, remains notable. Tragically, Mickiewicz never set foot on his native land again, drawing his last breath in Constantinople (Istanbul). Following his passing, his remains found temporary repose in an Istanbul crypt before being transported to Paris and interred in Montmorency. Only 35 years after his demise did he return to Krakow, finding his final resting place in the crypts of the Wawel Cathedral.

The statue gracing the Main Market Square was unveiled on June 16, 1898, commemorating the centenary of Adam Mickiewicz's birth. Crafted by the esteemed Teodor Rygier well before he gained widespread acclaim, the monument stands as a testament to Mickiewicz's enduring legacy.

In 1940, the Nazis demolished the monument after invading Poland. It remained absent from the Square until its reinstatement in 1955. Nonetheless, a significant portion of the sculptures were retrieved from a scrap metal pile in Hamburg in 1946. This retrieval facilitated the restoration of the Monument to its initial state.