Swantopolk the Great Monument

The Swantopolk II the Great Monument (Polish: Pomnik Świętopełka Wielkiego) is a bronze statue in Gdańsk, Poland, located in the Main City neighbourhood, within the Downtown. It is placed the Swantopolk II the Great Square, between Grobla II, Świętojańska, Szeroka, and Złotników Streets. The monument is dedicated to duke Swantopolk II (also known as Swantopolk the Great), ruler of the Duchy of Gdańsk from 1227 and 1266. It was designed by Wawrzyniec Samp and unveiled on 22 August 2010.

Swantopolk the Great Monument
The monument in 2020.
Map
54°21′06.3″N 18°39′11.8″E / 54.351750°N 18.653278°E / 54.351750; 18.653278
LocationSwantopolk II the Great Square, Downtown, Gdańsk, Poland
DesignerWawrzyniec Samp
TypeStatue
MaterialBronze
Height2.8 m
Opening date22 August 2010
Dedicated toSwantopolk II

History

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The monument was designed by sculptor Wawrzyniec Samp, and financed by the Kashubian–Pomeranian Association. It was dedicated to duke Swantopolk II, ruler of the Duchy of Gdańsk from 1227 and 1266. The staute was unveiled on 22 August 2010, in the 750th anniversary of Saint Dominic Fair.[1][2]

Characteristics

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The monument is placed at the Swantopolk II the Great Square (Polish: Skwer Świętopełka II Wielkiego), between Grobla II, Świętojańska, Szeroka, and Złotników Streets. It is located in the Main City neighbourhood, within the Downtown district of Gdańsk.[3] The monument consists of a bronze statue of Swantopolk II, wearing a chain mail, robes, metal helmet and a cape. He is looking forward, using his left hand to block out the sun, while his right hand holds the town privileges charter of Gdańsk, while resting oj a shiled placed vertically on a ground before him, that features fleur-de-lis on it, symbol of his dynasty. Between his forearm and his body, is also held vertically a pike with a battle flag it. He is depicted in an elder age with a beard. The statue has the heigh of 2.8 m, has a small circular base, with a Polish inscription that reads: "Świętopełk Wielki" (Swantopolk the Great). It is placed on a larger circular stone pedestal, which features a Kashubian inscription that reads: "Zrzeszonëch naju nicht nie złómie" (Nobody will be break us, while we are united).[2][4]

References

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  1. ^ "Pomnik Świętopełka Wielkiego". zdiz.gda.pl (in Polish).
  2. ^ a b "Gdańsk doczekał się swojego Świętopełka". mmtrojmiasto.pl (in Polish). 3 August 2010.
  3. ^ Piotr Smoliński (24 October 2010). "Aktualności: 'Książę Kaszubóa' na ostatni dzień Jarmarku Dominikańskiego". kurierkaszubski.eu (in Polish).
  4. ^ "Kościół św. Mikołaja". gdansk.pl (in Polish).