Polonia Sacra

Stanisław August Poniatowski’s coronation cloak, the desk at which Poland’s last king signed the infamous Targowica Confederation act which led to the Second Partition of Poland, and national memorabilia from the Historical Office at the Palace of the Bishops of Kraków, previously only accessible to a select few visitors, are just some of the treasures held in church and diocese archives opening their troves to the public as part of the celebrations of the centenary of Poland’s independence. The exhibition Polonia Sacra presents around three hundred items from various periods, mainly sacral items. The Archdiocesan Museum in Kanonicza Street and the Cathedral Museum at Wawel Castle present artworks and historical artefacts which are usually kept out of public view in churches and monasteries within the Kraków Archdiocese. National uprisings and drives towards independence, holy patrons, the cult of the Virgin Mary as the Queen of Poland and the pro-independence activities of Cracovian bishops, especially the great patriot Adam Stefan Sapieha who led the Holy Mass celebrating the liberation of Kraków on 3 November 1918, form the main themes of the exhibition. (Dorota Dziunikowska, "Karnet" monthly)