I would imagine many people like ourselves, have taken a stroll today to clear the head, after the excesses of the last two weeks or so. The great thing about not owning a car anymore is that you really get to see and discover so many unexpected sights and all for free. Today, for example, we decided to go to the main square via a different route than we would normally take and came across The Collegium Maius, which was built as part of the Krakow Academy (now the Jagellonian University). It is the oldest surviving university building in Poland and one of the best examples of 15th century Gothic architecture in the city. It has a magnificent arcaded courtyard and a fascinating university museum.
These buildings burnt down in the late 15th century and a purpose built college with an elegant Gothic facade took their place. Completed in 1492, when it became known as Collegium Maius, it included the arcaded cloister, from which 'professors' staircases' lead up to the professional chambers on the first and second floors.
On September 1st, 1939, Poland was invaded by the German army. The six years occupation of the country began. It was a period of mass murder, terror and persecution. Among all countries which fought against Germany or were occupied by it, Poland suffered the worst demographic and social losses.. About 5.5 million Polish citizens lost their lives. The National Socialist policies aimed at the country's population caused a decimation of intellectuals and the society's leaders. Only uneducated Poles were to remain alive as obedient workers for German agriculture and industry.
The best educated strata of the society were exterminated from the beginning of the occupation. Politicians, clergy, public officials, entrepreneurs, academic and second-grade teachers, land owners and aristocracy were either imprisoned or murdered. One episode of the repressive policy occurred in Krakow. The invaders gave it the code name, "Aktion gegen Universitatsprofessoren". After the war it became known as, "Sanderaktion Krakau".
On November 6th, 1939, following the order given by the commander of the 2nd Deployment Commando, Bruno Miller, the rector of the Jagielloian University, Professor Tadeusz Lehr-Splawinski, called a meeting of all university professors to hear about the official stance of the occupying powers towards Polish education under a new political system. The meeting was to take place in Room 66 at noon, located in the Collegium Novum building. The academics both active and retired arrived in large numbers guided by by the principles of solidarity and common responsibility. In total 183 academics from the Jagiellonian University, the Mining Academy and the Trading Academy were present. Bruno Miller did not hold the lecture...the university was surrounded by the police and the professors were mistreated and arrested and transported to the Montelupi Street prison. Later they were sent to a prison in Wroclaw and finally they were imprisoned in Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg concentration camp situated north of Berlin. The professors were not given any official charges but for the German authorities Their only crimes were the fact that they had academic degrees and that they worked at a Polish university.
Of all the arrested, six were honorary doctorates of foreign universities, thirteen formerly served as rectors and the majority were members of international scientific associations. Many were world renowned specialists across the spectrum of academia. They all suffered from illness, hunger,cold, beatings and general mistreatment. Under such conditions twenty professors died during their imprisonment or shortly after their release. The survivors were left with traumatic memories haunting them for the rest of their lives. Some were incapable of telling about the tragic events. The brave stance of the arrested academics during the time in prison and the concentration camps, where they showed their indomitable will, dignity and humanity is still recognised to this day in academic circles in Poland and elsewhere. If you are in Krakow on November 6th and you see many sombre black flags hanging from buildings in the Old Town, it is for the 'University Remembrance Day to honour the memory of these people.
I have commented before whilst writing some of the historical posts in this blog about how moved I am by the historical events that have occurred in Poland. Yet again, purely by chance we stumbled across this incredible place and I was very moved to read about the tragic story of the Collegium Maius. The sense that something very important had happened here was almost palpable and on another day we will return to view all of the buildings that were not open today. In the meantime I am very glad that I do not own a car.
