Bust of Copernicus (Olsztyn)
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The bust of Copernicus is a monument to Nicolaus Copernicus in Olsztyn .
history
In 1516, Nicolaus Copernicus stayed in the north wing of Olsztyn Castle as a chapter administrator . Here he developed significant parts of his heliocentric worldview . On the occasion of the 550th anniversary of the city charter and the 400th anniversary of Copernicus' visit, the pastor at the time, Bernhard Gigalski, organized a fundraising campaign to erect a bust. Wilhelm II donated 10,000 thalers from his own box. The bust was made by the sculptor Johannes Götz and placed in the middle of the First World War , in 1916, in front of the castle on the corner of today's Zamkowa and Okopowa streets. It was hidden during the Soviet invasion, but was put up again on the other side of the castle in May 1945. As part of the Polonization of Allenstein, the German commemorative plaque was removed (can still be seen on the back of the base) and the following inscription was carved into the back, the current front side (translated accordingly):
"To the defender of the city of Olsztyn from the Crusaders,
the great Poland Nicolaus Copernicus"
The German inscription before 1945 was:
“You were the first to show the orbits of the earth with a powerful spirit;
you brought blessings and protection to this city and the castle. ""
Individual evidence
- ^ Anton Funk: History of the City of Allenstein 1348-1943. Scientia-Verlag, 1979, p. 314
literature
- Anton Funk: History of the City of Allenstein 1348–1943. Scientia-Verlag, 1979, ISBN 3-511-09071-7
Web links
Coordinates: 53 ° 46 ′ 40.3 " N , 20 ° 28 ′ 26.1" E