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| The royal crypt |
Plock, the second capital of Poland. The city is 100 km away from the current one. A city in the area of which the Vistula river, already described by the Romans, is indeed as wide as the sea is a forgotten city, that, although renovated, somehow cannot attract tourists from outside Poland, although its museum has the most valuable artifacts from the history of the country. The capital was moved here from Gniezno during the reign of Wladislaus Herman, after the overthrow of his brother Boleslaus the Bold, although this one resided in Krakow during his reign. The foundation of this city is indeed a perfect story for a movie. A story about a family from hell, power, and fall And new research only supports the darkest theories.
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| Marta one of the oldest representatives of the crocodile family in the world |
What is worth visiting in Plock? Interestingly, it is worth visiting the zoo while Marta is still alive. The zoo is beautifully situated on the Vistula backwaters, which is why it is often flooded. It is an old facility, so the runs are not always beautiful. Marta definitely deserves a better board. Gold, not a piece of paper. Who is Marta? Marta is someone you can read about on Wikipedia. A female alligator that was probably hatched in 1930 (the year is unknown) in the now-defunct Reptile Jungle Zoo in the United States. She has appeared in several films. She lived with a male Pedro for a short time, but she turned out to be a despot. She perceives the world a little differently; maybe she was brought up by people, because she loves them, but not the representatives of her species. She is one of the longest-lived reptiles of its type in the world and one of the two longest-lived crocodile families in Europe. This year, Marta will be 92, if she is not older. Marta is competing for the title of oldest representative of the Crocodilae family with Muja, who is from Belgrade.
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| Dexter always discover that be a father is very difficult thing. |
This reptile was the only animal in the zoo to have survived bombing during two wars. His leg was amputated as a result of gangrene, but he survived that too, although his living conditions are rather poor. They took over the title after the death of Saturn, who lived in Moscow, and came from Hitler's headquarters in Berlin. Plock is also one of three zoos in Europe where snow leopards successfully breed. Though Dexter looks the same every time he gives birth, as if to say, "God, what have I done ?!" One cannot forget about the breeding success of the very rare Goral or the wonderful young Siberian tigers. Perhaps the rocky slope on which the zoo is built reminds cats that they are in the mountains. There are many rare representatives of birds here. And in 2021, the first wild donkey was born. This is a huge success, because, contrary to appearances, donkeys are the most devastated wild species, and unfortunately, the wild ones do not want to breed in enclosures.
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| Siberian tigers |
From the Zoo, let's move to Cathedral Island, where we can easily leave the car and go on foot. An abbey was built in the former royal castle during the Feudal Fragmentation of Poland. Today, it is a diocesan museum. The most valuable specimens are the medieval psalter and the Plock Bible. There is a collection of paintings by artists such as Blake, Baciarelli, and Caracci. However, the most valuable treasure is undoubtedly the Romanesque epergne and the reliquary of Saint Sigismund. This man, like King Arthur, lived to see numerous poems and operas. The head of this masterpiece of medieval art is adorned with the ducal crown of Konrad of Masovia. It is a valuable monument not only because not many Romanesque art objects have been preserved but also because it is the only preserved ducal crown in Poland, from medieval times as well. It is also worth paying attention to the ''Sun of Plock'', which does not equal the legendary ''Sun of Prague'', but is also set with almost a hundred diamonds, or to a monstrance with a pelican feeding his children from his heart. This belief was also mentioned by Aidan Turner while he was playing Leonardo da Vinci. Today we know that this pelican's head movement has nothing to do with sharing their heart and that the food is simply stored in a huge will, but pelicans were therefore considered a model of parenting and a symbol of devotion until the end of the Renaissance. In this way, reference was made to the sacrifice of Christ.
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| A monstrance, a pelican feeding its chicks with its heart. Details |
The Konrad of Masovia Pater and the Calix are also excellent examples of Romanesque art. Konrad is primarily remembered as the one who brought the Teutonic Knights, paving the way for them to create a dangerous state. However, the first prince to do so was Henry the Bearded, and Konrad, alone in the fight against Pomeranians, the Balts, and Lithuanians, had no other choice if he wanted to stop the notoriously cruel robbers of his district. So at that time there was no indication that the order might be planning something like that in the Feudal Fragmentation of Poland, although their creation of Transylvania should give both gentlemen food for thought. But more about him is in the note about Torun. He has a great personality for the movie, and what's so funny is that his prophecy came true because his descendant united the country.
A characteristic feature of countries that were not part of the Soviet Union but were associated with them after the IIWW is now a teaching of history in which the power of countries is not mentioned. God forbid about those who were able to show the Germans where they belonged, which, contrary to appearances, is not difficult to do, despite the fact that nowadays everyone blindly desires German captivity.
In the cathedral, it is worth paying attention to the door. After those from Gniezno, it is the only monument of this type in Poland. Unfortunately, there is only a copy in Poland, but those in Gniezno are original. The doors popularly called by Poles : '' Plock doors" in book nomenclature are known as Magdeburg doors or Novgorod Magdeburg doors.
Made of bronze, they show 26 panels from the history of the Old and New Testaments, and they served as the bible for the poor. Contrary to the Poles' claims, the Russians did not take them to Russia. The door was lost during the invasion of Poland by the Lithuanian king Mindaugas.Later found a place in St. Sophia in Novgorod (when Lithuania became part of Russia). They make us realize that Romanesque was not such an inept period in art. Both doors came today, if we could call them that, from the same factory. There is a royal crypt next to the door. In which the last rulers from before the Feudal Fragmentation of Poland were buried, as well as all the princes of Masovia who claimed the throne during the reign of King Jogaila.
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| '' Sun of Plock'' |
It is worth paying attention to the rare representation of the Seraphins in Latin churches. They are the most powerful celestial beings and the ones who are closest to God, as well as the green chapel, where we can see a commemorative plaque of the last king of Poland. His brother was the bishop of Plock and was buried here. The cathedral is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic, but the styles are easy to distinguish here. While walking by the river, we come across benches with various figures. Foreign tourists should pay attention to the bench with the figure of an old, little, hunched man. This is the first Polish prime minister after the fall of socialism - Tadeusz Mazowiecki, who came from Plock.
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| The bench and the statue of Tadeusz Mazowiecki |
In the Masovian Museum, we will see a portrait of Mihrimah, the legendary daughter of Suleyman Magnificent and Hurrem Sultan, made famous by the Magnificent Century series. After her mother's death, when the sultan became depressed, Mihrimah acted as Valide Sultan on behalf of her father and then briefly on behalf of Selim II. The title can be confusing, as valide means mother. Mihrimah started the era of the so-called Taglub-i-nisvan, the rule of powerful women who had power equal to that of the sultans, and even, as in the case of Kosem, placed them on the throne. At that time, European queens could only dream of such power. Only Elisabeth Tudor can be compared with them. They are the first feminists in history, who, unlike European women, had their own lives and property but could not enter into an affair so as not to undermine the succession to the throne of their sons. Mihrimah did not have this problem. When the era of the cruel Kosem began, the nobility began to murmur about the introduction to the throne of her descendants or one of the daughters of Selim II. To this day, she is one of the richest and most influential women in history, whose lists can be found in the archives of England, France, and Poland.
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| Novgorod Magdeburg doors aka Plock doors |
There is a moving clock on the town hall tower. The building is impressive and was designed by the Italian architect Domemico Merlini. At 12 and 18 o'clock, moving figures emerge. Wladislaus Herman is the rightful heir to his son Boleslaus' throne, but did he really do it? Now a little bit should be told about the history of the bloody dynasty.
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| Former castle, now a diocesan museum |
Boleslaus, the Generous or the Bold, and Wladislaus Herman. Two brothers, sons of Casimir the Restorer and Anna, granddaughters of Yaroslav the Wise, quite recently returned to their country from exile. They will not be a loving family. The name Wladislaus appears for the first time in the history of the country. It seems that my father chose this name in honour of a friend of the King of Hungary, with whom he made friends while in exile. The Hungarian king would name his son Casimir. Boleslaus is an outstanding figure, and probably that is why he is hated by the freedom-loving nobility. The problem is that the nobility confuses freedom with anarchy. The story of the king is the beginning of what can be seen to this day. Poles hate wise, strong rulers; they prefer puppets because then you can do whatever you want. It is not without reason that the phrase "Poland stands on nierząd" is used in that country. It's a game of words. The word'' nierząd'' means venality, prostitution, but also not the ability to wield.
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| The crown of Konrad of Masovia |
Boleslaus is the first king to crown himself without the emperor's consent and to rule with a strong hand. The Germans do not like it, so they will do whatever it takes to overthrow him. They will take advantage of the death of Bishop Stanislaus, who is as politicized as hardly anyone. How he was hated can be proved by the legend of when he ordered slutty noblewomen to feed puppies. This legend was written by one very unbelievable source and has no confirmation in history. Coming from Hungary, Gall Anonymous, who is still a mystery to this day and some even claim that he did not exist, could not bear such an insult to the emperor and does everything he can to slander the rulers who do not follow in the footsteps of the Germans, and above all, he must lick the new ruler Boleslaus Wrymouth, for whom he writes the book and who is a descendant of the usurper.
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| eperge, a gift of Konrad of Masovia, on the left is possible to see the prince. Romanesque |
The king tries to rebuild the country and is in debt to the church. His nickname, "Generous," derives from the fact that he lends money that he does not have. Bishops are starting to demand repayments, and we are in the age of disputes between the church and the rulers over investiture. Saint Stanislaus, whom he beheaded, was in fact not so holy, and he can easily be compared with people like Richelieu or Mazzarin. He was a very politicized man, and his death was the result of many years of investiture disputes, which did not end here with Canossa. However, Boleslaus has byzantine blood in him and is not going to kneel. At some point, he gets fed up with the bishop, and although he is a saint, it is surprising that the king did not behead him so quickly. The fact is that the bishop instigated uprisings against the king. Herman might indeed have been afraid that he would end up like a brother, but in other wise he had Sieciech.
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| A.Caracci |
The nobleman Sieciech will take advantage of the situation, leading to the overthrow of the king. This remarkable man knows perfectly well that real power is hidden. He is also one of the first people in history to strive to overthrow a dynasty. At the same time, he knows how to wait. Sieciech knows that the time has not yet come for him, so he is helped in overthrowing the ruler by none other than Wladislaus Herman. Future ruler of the country. Herman is widely regarded as a political pawn in the hands of Sieciech, but new research suggests that both men are engaged in a dirty game that Herman, or rather his son, has won. It is worth remembering this man because his descendants will have an influence on politics in Poland as early as the 19th century. Whatever he knew about Herman, Sieciech was so important that he could afford to be a lover of the king's third wife. German Princess Judith Maria (not Judith as in the mother of Prince Boleslaus), Henry IV's sister. Many people thought her daughters were Sieciech's children. There must have been something to the rumors, because the brothers would quickly rid themselves of their sisters, and we would not even know their names for centuries. They are forgotten in Poland and Germany, no one wants even to hear about the last emperor's nieces. Herman's first wedding was probably in the Slavic rite, and when he ascended the throne, his wife was dismissed. From this relationship, Zbigniew was born. That name is paganism. Despite the Christianization of the country, if it was indeed a wedding according to the pagan rite, it would confirm the theory that the Baptism of Poland had a symbolic meaning, and that the old cults lived among people for a long time. Some historians argue that this is why Boleslaus was elected successor, as the bishops would undermine the legitimacy of the authority, but Herman clearly divided the country between the two brothers. Thus, starting a breakdown of the neighborhoods. However, let's face it, the second wife of the ruler, Judith from Bohemia, an ambitious woman with the blood of Valdemar I (Vladimir I the Great) himself and of Princess Anna Porphyrogenita, the daughter of Basileus himself, certainly did everything to discredit her husband's firstborn son. Later, we have Judith of Swabia, sister of Henry IV Hohenstauf. a woman who wreaked havoc on everything in her path Like her brother, she thinks just about herself, and like every tyrant, she must fall.
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| Poniatowski's chapel |
It is an undeniable fact that the king who goes into exile is killed in an assassination attempt. Polish chronicles will accuse the Hungarians of this, but the Hungarians did not have too many reasons to get rid of the king, who, even if he was proud not to dismount in front of King Bela, who welcomed him, supported his son in the fight against the emperor. The border chronicles are more careful. If anyone has an interest in the death of the previous king, it is only Wladyslaw Herman, his third wife, Judith of Swabia, and the emperor. Herman will follow an even more evil plan. It is hard to believe that only Sieciech and Judith of Swabia were standing behind him. The legal heir to the throne, Prince Mieszko, son of Boleslus, returns to Poland, only to die. Herman did not want anyone to seize his country someday. And it is obvious that the first known Polish chronicler writing for his son will not spit on his principal's father. Herman Nevertheless, he realizes that murdering the family does not lead to anything good. Sieciech issues all documents on behalf of the king; he actually rules the country, but Herman seems to be trying to get out of the control of the magnate who put him on the throne. His wealth was built on trading his own compatriots as slaves to Byzantium. He has no qualms. His family could be described as a medieval mafia.
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| Romanesque. Calix of Konrad of Masovia, probably was prepaired as a gift to Khan. |
It starts to clash, and Sieciech knows how to sow hatred in the family. He manages to kidnap the princes. He manages to expel Zbigniew, who is fleeing to Saxony, he also manages to bring him back with the Czech army, when power slips out of his control, causing an uprising in Silesia. On one point, the brothers agree that if they are to survive, Sieciech must go. This is the one time they will work together. Initially, Herman will not really support his sons, but Sieciech asks, "Is it not a game? These are dark ages. There might as well have been a civil war between the three factions. Sons, Sieciech and Herman, and at the same time it could have been the king's tactical play. Prince Boleslav did not hesitate to use the Pomeranians or the Vikings of Wolin in the fights. Herman even sacrificed his first wife for power, who took the name Cristine after baptism. But despite everything, he broke his conventions out of love for Zbigniew's mother. It cannot be forgotten that Herman will divide the country into two districts that will be ruled by his sons, which means that he by no means sees himself as the ruler only in Boleslav, but also considers his firstborn son. They will rule while the father is alive. Both are too ambitious, and Boleslav has inherited from his uncle peculiar fits of rage. Zbigniew marched against Masovia, where he took control of Plock, while Boleslaus was directed to the south, where he could conquer Lesser Poland. However, Wladislaus I predicted the maneuvers of his sons and directed his forces to Masovia. The definitive battle between both armies took place near Plock. Wladyslaw I was defeated and forced to exile Sieciech from the country. Martin I, Archbishop of Gniezno, also played a major role in the disagreements between Herman and his sons.
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| Orginal sin. Romanesque |
Judith is certainly on the side of Sieciech, but suddenly she becomes unneeded, and the magnate's henchmen leave. Reason. When it came to brother's uprising, at the same time, her nephew overthrew Henry. Judith disappears from the history. She returns to Germany with daughters and they stay at a monastery. Nobody wants this woman, and her daughters will be married off to ordinary nobles. Judith became a problem for Germans as well; at the end of the Polish story, she fled to her lover. The Palatine left Poland around 1100–1101 and went to Germany. He returned to Poland a few years later, but he was not involved in politics. He has been blinded because he was too powerful. Sieciech chose the cross and the axe as his coat of arms. From now on, the family will be called Cross-Ax(es). Monuments bearing this sign can be found all over Poland. It perfectly reflects the character of the founder of the family. But why was Zbigniew blinded? Was Boleslaus really Wrymouth? The research carried out during the renovation of the crypt seems to confirm the second theory. At least no remains of a person who can be considered deformed have been found. It is now believed that the prince's nickname referred to his perjury to his brother, whom he had ordered to kill anyway by undermining his father's will, in a brutal way. Prince Zbigniew died in mysterious circumstances long after he was blinded, which, in light of the newly discovered sources, could not have been the cause of his death.
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| The cathedral |
Boleslaus was excommunicated for this, and that's why a nickname was given to him to mark him as a perjurer. Herman's documents clearly spoke of co-ruling the country. However, power took over again. There was something else mentioned in foreign chronicles. Zbigniew could become more popular. The Poles got rid of the emperor, and Boleslaus reportedly pledged to pay tribute to the Czech ruler. Kosmas, - Czech historian, wrote: "Two males caught in one sack cannot be together". This sarcastic joke sums up the whole situation. The Polish chronicles are silent about what happened between the brothers. From a psychological point of view. Boleslav, brought up by his stepmother,Judith of Schwabia, was soaked by the woman. The fact is, he swore before God in church, at large ceremonies, that when his brother would return to Poland, he would never hurt him. Zbigniew gave him his lands and formally resigned his title to the throne. Perhaps it was fear. Boleslav suffered the most during Sieciech's exploits. With his death, the only thing that had united the brothers also disappeared. Gouging out the eyes was quite common punishment at that time for high treason, but fratricide after an oath to God. It discredits him internationally. Especially when it is done officially, when it is an accident... other story.Of course, there's not much that you can do to your country's ruler for that.Firstly he still gives you meals even if you are a bishop.
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| The cathedral interior |
The prince will build a few churches for the show, but the fame brings news. The pilgrimage to Hungary became famous for the fact that the prince ate meat when he was about to fast. There, he founded the Somogyar Monastery and, fortunately, met a monk skilled in writing. He was not a German, although he said he was. The chronicler will write down the history of Poland, but the last fragments will be as the prince wishes. Good Boleslaus and bad Zbigniew will remain like that for ages. An anointed heir and usurper, but times have changed, and the myth can now be debunked. Or maybe Boleslaus did not know anything about Zbigniew's death, and his wife did it. Remorse does not let you forget about yourself. The ruler, unfortunately, has many sons who live to adulthood. He remembers what the fight for the crown led to. The last will began Feudal Fragmentation of Poland. The duke doesn't want a war between his sons. They won't listen. Wladislaus the Exile is the last ruler to be equal to his father, his grandfather, and mostly to Boleslaus the Generous. He is not liked for that. The nobility will have more and more say. A few centuries of bloodshed ensued, defining the dynasty as "bloody." Contrary to popular belief, Boleslaw Wrymouth wasn't a Nordic man but had very dark black hair, just like his son Wladislaus Exile. This is due to the family's relationship with Kievan Rus and, thus, Byzantium. The rulers of that decade were indeed men of an ancient or southern type of beauty. Boleslaus's grandmother was the daughter of Valdemar (Vladimir) I the Great himself, the husband of the legendary Anna Porphyrogenita, who contributed to the baptism of Russia. It is uncertain whether Boleslaus left a will. Salomea, the prince's second wife and mother of two sons, was an ambitious woman, and by no means did Wladislaus love his stepmother . Some theories suggest that she forged the will to protect her children, who were infants at the time of the ruler's death (the youngest will be born right after Boleslaus Wrymouth's funeral).
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| Seraphims |
It is a joke of fate that, several decades later, Pomeranians and Mindaugas invade the country. They will take Herman and Czech Judith's bodies only to dismember and profane them. They thought that she's Judith of Swabia. Herman, Generous, Wrymouth, and Excile were considered very handsome men of not ordinary beauty. Certainly, after all, the strong genes of the Vikings (Valdemar was a Viking after his mother) and southern beauty thanks to marriages with Greeks made them stand out, and their story would be a great story for a movie with Hollywood and UK stars if only someone heard about them and wanted to explore this confusing story.
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| Wild donkeys, it's a miracle he was born in a zoo. This devastated species is by no means willing to reproduce in captivity. |
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| Vistula reaches its greatest width in the Plock region. |
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