Historical Museum of the City of Krakow, Celestat

ul.Lubicz 16, 51-504 Kraków Phone: +48 (12)429-37-91 http://www.mhk.pl

About

Sharpshooter societies of medieval Europe, including the Krakow's Bractwo Kurkowe (literary the Fowler Brotherhood) were organisations which played an important function in city defence, as they trained inhabitants to wield firearms. The Fowler Brotherhood was established in Krakow probably at the end of the thirteenth century, that is at the time when the city was surrounded by high walls. The archery range, which was called Celestat, was situated beyond the city walls in the neighbourhood of the previous one that disappeared before the 19th century. The Sharpshooters' Society acquired its new residence near a garden, which was later named the Ogród Strzelecki (Shooters Garden.) Here, besides the archery range proper, a neo-Gothic palace was built with a view tower and a gate topped with the sculpture of the Fowl – the prize awarded during the annual shooting contests of the Sharpshooters Society. Exposition:The History of the Fowler Brotherhood of Krakow (Z dziejów Bractwa Kurkowego w Krakowie) The exhibition is the only one in its kind in Europe; it was established on the bases of the rich collections of the Krakow Fowler Brotherhood. It presents valuable documentation of the Krakow history and traditions. The museum houses works of famous artists: W. Kossak, A. Karpiński, and F. Cynk. The Silver Fowl, which is the mark of the Fowler King, is the most precious historic item of the collection. From its earliest days, the Silver Fowl was connected with the Fowler Brotherhood. According to the tradition the Silver Fowl was a gift from king Sigismund August, although it was actually founded by the Municipal Council in 1565. The fowl (the Polish word kur meaning 'a rooster') can be described as a bird stylised to look like an eagle, of proud bearing, with wings raised, and a crown on the head. It combines late-Gothic and Renaissance features: the former are evident in its form and the style of the crown, whereas the latter in the realistic tendencies to render the details. Moreover, at the time of sacral art domination, the lay character of the Fowl makes it an extraordinary example of local decorative art. The collection gathered at Celestat consists of:- The collection of Fowler King portraits from 1834, tondi commemorating important events, and the views of Celestat,- The collection of regalia (staves, sceptres, chains,)- Jewels – the name of the gifts presented by the abdicating kings,- commemorative targets, to which famous guests shot, (their number included Emperor Franz Josef, archduke Rudolf, general J. Haller, and J. Piłsudski).
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