The Krakow Academy, founded by King Casimir the Great on May 12, 1364, was the second university in Central Europe. The institution was established in response to Poland's growing educational needs and aimed to educate the country's intellectual elite. It consisted of three faculties: Liberal Arts, Law, and Medicine.

The Cracow Academy, known today as the Jagiellonian University, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in Europe. Its origins date back to medieval times when Poland was under the rule of King Casimir the Great.

The establishment of the Cracow Academy marks a crucial moment in the history of Polish higher education. This event had an enormous impact on the development of science and culture in Poland, contributing to the country's intellectual flourishing. However, the exact date of the institution's foundation raises some controversy among historians, making it a fascinating subject for research and discussion.

Casimir the Great, the last Polish king of the Piast dynasty, went down in history as an outstanding ruler and visionary. His reign from 1333 to 1370 brought Poland significant economic, cultural, and educational development.

The king initiated numerous reforms that modernized the Polish state:

• Defense system expansion: construction of 50 castles and fortifications
• Economic development: establishment of 100 new towns and modernization of 1000 villages
• Law codification: introduction of the Wiślica-Piotrków Statutes
• Administrative reforms: creation of the starosta office

Casimir the Great's most important achievement in education was the establishment of the Cracow Academy. This decision stemmed from his vision of Poland as an educated and modern country.

Casimir the Great understood the importance of education for state development:

• Education of intellectual and administrative elites
• Raising Poland's prestige in the international arena
• Becoming independent from foreign academic centers
• Development of Polish science and culture

The establishment of the Cracow Academy in 1364 was the culmination of his efforts to develop education in Poland. This institution, as the second in Central Europe after Prague, became a center of science and culture in the region.

Achievement	Number
Castles and fortifications	50
New towns	100
Modernized villages	1000

Casimir the Great's vision extended beyond his era. His actions in education and culture laid the foundations for Poland's later flourishing during the Golden Age.

Poland in the 14th century experienced a period of significant political, economic, and social transformations. The country, under the rule of the Piast dynasty, gradually regained its position on the international stage after the period of feudal fragmentation.

The beginning of the 14th century found Poland in the process of unification. Władysław the Elbow-high, father of Casimir the Great, achieved coronation in 1320, thus ending the period of feudal fragmentation. Poland had to face external threats:

• The Teutonic Order in the north
• Brandenburg in the west
• Bohemia in the south

The 14th century brought significant economic development to Poland:

• Establishment of new towns
• Development of trade
• Colonization under German law
• Exploitation of natural resources (salt, silver)

The social structure underwent gradual changes:

• Rising importance of the bourgeoisie
• Strengthening position of the nobility
• Changes in peasants' situation

The development of culture and science in 14th century Poland was characterized by:

• Increase in parish schools
• Development of Latin literature
• Appearance of first works in Polish language
• Beginnings of Gothic architecture

The historical background of 14th century Poland formed the foundation for Casimir the Great's decision to establish the Kraków Academy. The king recognized the need to educate intellectual elites for the developing state.

The establishment of the Kraków Academy in 1364 was a response to Poland's growing educational needs in the 14th century. Casimir the Great's decision to found the university stemmed from several key factors.

The development of the Polish state in the 14th century required qualified personnel. The Kraków Academy was meant to educate intellectual elites necessary for the efficient functioning of state administration, judiciary, and diplomacy. The university offered studies in law, medicine, and liberal arts, providing comprehensive education for future officials and royal advisors. Training native specialists enabled independence from foreign experts and strengthened state sovereignty.

Casimir the Great drew inspiration from existing European universities. Universities in Bologna, Paris, and Prague served as models for the Kraków Academy. The king sent Polish students to study abroad so that upon return, they could support the development of the native university. The organizational structure and curriculum of the Kraków Academy were modeled after the University of Bologna, particularly in the field of legal studies. These inspirations helped create a university of European standards, attracting students from throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

The Kraków Academy was officially founded on May 12, 1364. King Casimir the Great issued the foundation charter on that date, which became the legal foundation for the establishment of the university.

The foundation charter of May 12, 1364, was a crucial document in the history of the Kraków Academy. This act, signed by Casimir the Great, defined the organizational structure of the university, its rights, and privileges. The document was modeled after the statutes of the University of Bologna, providing for the establishment of faculties of law, medicine, and liberal arts. The charter guaranteed the university's autonomy, ensured funding from the royal treasury, and granted special rights to students and lecturers, including exemption from customs duties and taxes.

The founding date of the Cracow Academy has sparked some controversy among historians. Some researchers point to 1363 as the actual beginning of the institution's operations. They argue that organizational preparations and faculty recruitment began before the official privilege was issued. Others highlight that the Academy's full functioning only occurred after Casimir the Great's death, during the reign of Władysław Jagiełło in 1400. The king then renewed the foundation and expanded the university's structure. Despite these discussions, 1364 remains widely recognized as the official founding date of the Cracow Academy.

The structure and organization of the original Cracow Academy reflected the best European models, adapted to Poland's needs. The institution was designed as an autonomous entity, with its own management system and curriculum.

The Cracow Academy drew inspiration from renowned European universities, particularly the University of Bologna. It adopted a corporate model where the academic community enjoyed significant autonomy. The organizational structure included a rector, elected by the academic community, and a university council. The institution had its own judiciary system, which protected its members from external authority interference. The teaching system was based on lectures (lectiones) and disputes (disputationes), which was the standard in medieval European universities.

The Cracow Academy consisted of three faculties:

1. Faculty of Liberal Arts (Artes Liberales):

• Trivium: grammar, rhetoric, dialectics
• Quadrivium: arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music

2. Faculty of Law:

• Canon law
• Roman law

3. Faculty of Medicine:

• Medical theory
• Medical practice

Each faculty had its dean and offered academic degrees: bachelor's, licentiate, and doctorate. Students began their education at the Faculty of Liberal Arts, which formed the foundation for further education. Studies at other faculties lasted from 5 to 8 years, depending on the field and academic degree.

The Kraków Academy played a crucial role in Poland's development. Its establishment by Casimir the Great in 1364 had far-reaching consequences for the country, influencing scientific, cultural, and political progress.

The Kraków Academy became Poland's scientific center, attracting outstanding scholars and students. The university developed dynamically, offering studies in law, medicine, and liberal arts. In the 15th century, the Academy became famous for astronomical research, and its graduate Nicolaus Copernicus revolutionized the perception of the universe. The university contributed to the flourishing of humanism in Poland, promoting studies of classical literature and ancient languages. The Academy's library collected valuable manuscripts and incunabula, serving as a treasury of knowledge for generations of scholars.

The establishment of the Kraków Academy significantly raised Poland's prestige on the international stage. The university became the third in Central Europe after Prague and Vienna, attracting students from across the region. The Academy educated intellectual elites who joined the ranks of state administration, diplomacy, and judiciary. University graduates played key roles in public life, contributing to the country's modernization and strengthening its position in Europe. The Kraków Academy became a symbol of enlightenment and progress, confirming Poland's aspirations to be a significant player on the European political and cultural scene.

After Casimir the Great's death in 1370, the Kraków Academy entered a period of stagnation. Louis I of Hungary, Casimir's successor, showed no interest in the university's development, which led to the suspension of its activities. It wasn't until 1400, during the reign of Władysław Jagiełło, that the Academy experienced its revival.

Władysław Jagiełło, recognizing the institution's potential, took steps to reactivate it. In 1397, he obtained Pope Boniface IX's approval to establish a faculty of theology, which significantly elevated the Academy's status. On July 26, 1400, the king issued an act of renewal for the university, ensuring stable funding and granting new privileges.

The renewed Kraków Academy quickly gained prominence:

• It attracted students from all over Central and Eastern Europe
• It became an important center of humanist thought
• It developed extensively in astronomy, mathematics, and law

In the 15th century, the Academy experienced a golden age. The number of students grew from 500 in 1400 to over 3,000 by mid-century. Among the most distinguished graduates of this period were:

• Nicolaus Copernicus - creator of the heliocentric theory
• Jan Długosz - eminent chronicler and historian
• Paweł Włodkowic - lawyer and diplomat

Table: Development of the Kraków Academy in the 15th Century

Year	Number of Students	Important Events
1400	500	Renewal of the Academy by Władysław Jagiełło
1450	3000+	Peak of the university's popularity
1491	-	Nicolaus Copernicus begins his studies

The revival of the Kraków Academy after Casimir the Great's death contributed to the development of science and culture in Poland and strengthened its position in Europe. The university became a symbol of intellectual progress, educating elites who played a crucial role in shaping Polish statehood and culture in the following centuries.

The Kraków Academy, founded by Casimir the Great in 1364, left a lasting mark on the history of Poland and Europe. Its influence on the development of science, culture, and education cannot be overstated.

The institution became the cradle of many groundbreaking discoveries and scientific theories. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Kraków Academy became famous for its astronomical research. Nicolaus Copernicus, one of its most famous graduates, revolutionized the perception of the universe with his heliocentric theory.

The Kraków Academy played a crucial role in the development of Polish Renaissance culture. The institution contributed to the flourishing of humanism in Poland, promoting studies of classical literature and ancient languages. The academic library, collecting valuable manuscripts, became a treasury of knowledge and culture.

For centuries, the Kraków Academy educated the intellectual elite of Poland and Central-Eastern Europe. The institution's graduates held key positions in state administration, diplomacy, and judiciary. Their knowledge and skills contributed to the country's modernization and strengthening its position on the international stage.

The establishment and development of the Kraków Academy significantly raised Poland's prestige in Europe. The institution attracted students and scholars from across the continent, becoming an important center for the exchange of thoughts and ideas. The Academy's international character contributed to Poland's inclusion in European intellectual circulation.

The legacy of the Kraków Academy is continued by the modern Jagiellonian University. The institution still enjoys the reputation of being one of the best in Poland and Europe, combining tradition with modernity. Its graduates continue to play a significant role in the country's scientific, cultural, and political life.

The educational model developed by the Kraków Academy became a template for other Polish universities. Its organizational structure, curricula, and teaching methods influenced the shape of the entire higher education system in Poland.

The Kraków Academy became a symbol of enlightenment and progress in Poland. Its existence confirmed the country's aspirations to be a significant player on the European political and cultural scene. To this day, the university remains a symbol of Polish science and education, reminding us of the centuries-old academic tradition in the country.

• The Kraków Academy was officially founded on May 12, 1364, by King Casimir the Great
• The establishment of the university was a response to Poland's growing educational needs in the 14th century and aimed to educate intellectual elites
• The structure and organization of the Academy were modeled after renowned European universities, particularly the University of Bologna
• The university consisted of three faculties: Liberal Arts, Law, and Medicine
• The establishment of the Kraków Academy significantly raised Poland's prestige internationally
• Despite periods of stagnation, the Academy was revived in 1400 during the reign of Władysław Jagiełło and became an important center of science and culture

The establishment of the Kraków Academy by Casimir the Great in 1364 was a breakthrough moment for Polish education and culture. This royal decision reflected his foresight and understanding of the importance of science for state development.

The Academy not only educated intellectual elites but also contributed to increasing Poland's prestige internationally. Its influence on the development of astronomy, humanism, and law was invaluable.

Today, as the Jagiellonian University, the institution continues its centuries-old traditions while combining them with modernity. It remains a symbol of Polish science and education, being a living testimony to Casimir the Great's vision.