The Collegium Maius or Greater College, is one of Europe’s oldest universities, established in 1364 by King Casimir the Great.  As part of the Jagiellonian University, Collegium Maius is the proudest of the university buildings as it is the oldest, erected in the 14th and 15th centuries. The college has a courtyard in the center of the building, surrounded by an arched arcade, inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture of the period. In the center of the courtyard is a well. The surrounding walls are embellished with carved stone plaques representing the family coats of arms of graduates of the university. Gilt wrought iron grilled windows, and stone staircases leading from the logia, further enhance this handsome brick interior courtyard. The exterior, also of brick, is distinctive with its half-rounded turrets projecting from the façade.

PHOTOS:  Top Two: 1. View of the interior courtyard of Collegium Maius. 2. Detail of one of the walls of the loggia overlooking the courtyard: the top of a deeply carved wooden door with its stone carved surround; and, a deeply carved bas relief representing the university’s founder, King Casimir the Great. Middle Three: 1. A lavabo of  carved stone and glazed ceramic, embedded in the walls of the courtyard of Collegium Maius. 2. Gilded wrought-iron window grills in the Collegium Maius courtyard. 3. The crest of King Casimir the Great, founder of the Collegium Maius. Bottom Two: 1. View of the well and arched arcade with superimposed loggia. 2. Stone sculpture in the building’s courtyard.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                        BACK TO MAP  PAGE