Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego Collegium Maius, Krakow, Malopolskie Voivodeship, Poland
College Maius positioned at the intersection of St. Anna and Jagiellonian University is the oldest university building in Poland.
In 1400. King Władysław Jagiełło gave tenement purchased from the University of Krakow councilor Peter Gerhardsdorfa (Gersdorf). Her footprints are preserved in the foundations and the corner of the building (from the street. Jagiellonian and courtyard) in the form typical of the fourteenth century called. “Wild wall” of limestone. The house was not large and could not ensure the proper functioning of the rapidly growing university.
Throughout the fifteenth century, the college grew by buying neighboring houses and construction of an additional several further. After the fires in 1462 and 1492 combined them in harmonious whole, creating at the same time arcaded courtyard surrounded by cloisters with crystal vault belonging to the so-called. Late Gothic style. the rhythm of the cloister stairs interrupt called “professorial” leading to the first floor porch. On the ground floor were lectoria, or lecture halls. They were long, low-vaulted rooms, dark and often damp. Library (Libraria), Joint Chamber of professors (Stuba Communis), the treasury and the reading of theologians (today’s Hall) were located on the first floor. Apartment professors, the residences were located on the ground floor, the first and second floor
Until about the mid-nineteenth century appearance and internal layout College has not changed significantly. Carried out in the years 1840-1870 reconstruction of Collegium Maius in neo-Gothic style with the purpose of building the headquarters of the Jagiellonian Library, completely changed its look and feel.
Leaving for College Library in 1940 made it possible to carry out in the years 1949-1964, the initiative of prof. Charles Estreicher, comprehensive renewal, combined with dropping neo-Gothic robes. Collegium Maius regained its original appearance before the 1840s. Then it was dedicated to the Museum of the Jagiellonian University, which found shelter in the old university collections (works of art and souvenirs) and a rich collection of scientific instruments.
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