Bona Sforza and the language influences (apart form the other ones)

We're going to visit the Gallery with the history of Polish-Italian Queen Bona Sforza.  As I was looking for articles about her I came across the one (written in the year of her 500th annniversary of birth) that showed the table I would like to copy here for the purpose of the language innovations : Bona Sforza facts.



Similarities of Italian and Polish terms

ITALIAN	POLISH	ENGLISH
Architectual Terms
muro	mur	wall
parapetto	parapet	parapet
architetto	architekt	architect
proietto	projekt	project
palazzo	pa�ac	palace
rotonda	rotunda	rotunda
obelisco	obelisk	obelisk
sofitto	sufit	celing
Food items
cavolifiore	kalafior	cauliflower
insalata	salata	salad
fagioulo	fasola	bean
pomidori	poimdory	tomatoes
leguinini	leguminy	legumes
melone	melon	melon
limone	limonia	lemon
sciroppo	syrup	syrup
zucchero	cukier	sugar
confezzione	konfekcje	candy
torta	tort	cake
salciccia	salceson	headcheese
lasagna	�zanki	lasagna
maccheroni	makaron	macaroni

Waiting for the exhibition of receiving Bona at present we have seen the three chapels inside the Wawel Cathedral:
First called Stephen Batory's Chapel it is a religious place of meditation now so we couldn't take photos - however there is a site about it - have a look batory-chapel

Second devoted to Jan Olbracht - why was it so important? tomb-of-king-jan-olbracht

The introduction of Italian forms to the Jagiellon court in Kraków is most often related to inspirations from Buda and the huge prestige of Mattias Corvinus, while prince Zygmunt’s stay at the Hungarian court is believed to be a turning point. North of the Alps, Italian forms were usually used alongside gothic ones, the best example of which consist in the works of Benedikt Rejt in Bohemia and Benedykt from Sandomierz in Poland. The works of these two court architects completely differed, however, in their approach to tradition and innovation.
Third place we wanted to see predominantly was Sigismund's Chapel which is described as a "Renessaince pearl". Here is a short history of it (unfortunately in Polish) Wawel Sigismond's Chapel a quick glance with explanation but a very short one in English as well about the famous Italian artist Gucci (he wasn't the brand name for clothes at that time!) Italian artist Gucci
Apart from that we saw the famous altar of St Jadwiga - here are some interesting fact about it:

The north-eastern part of the ambulatory in the Krakow cathedral has become the second site where Queen Hedwig’s cult is especially celebrated after her tomb. There is a sculpture here that, according to a legend, was founded by the queen (brought from Hungary) - you can also see it here sw-jadwiga-tombstone.

Definitely we have to do a separate meeting concerning the inside of the Wawel Castle.
Maybe we 've intrigued you to do so as well ?

The short review of our visit to the Gallery a glance of the Wawel Castle to see the place Bona reigned (Sigismon'd Chapel is the one with the golden dome) and some other from the complete opposite in style modern art gallery is below.

With Bona Sforza in Kraków.

One of our main purpose is to earn knowledge, about other countries taking part in the project, that’s why we as a small group get to the exhibition dedicated to Bona Sforza “the most famous Italian women connected with the Wawel”. Exhibition “Bona 500 years later”, organized by Pracownia Otwarta, is dedicated to mentioned queen crowned 500 years ago. She was influential and incredibly educated women, that’s why there are many legends about her life. Whole exhibition – placed in a small, modest room, definitely not well advertised – was in purpose to know her better. On that day there weren’t many people, except from us, to watch it. So we were alone and thanks to that we could watch the paintings closely and without any rush. There weren’t many of them. Same sightseeing didn’t take us more than 10 minutes, but exhibits were presented curiously and worth seeing. Beside of those we could learn a few curiosities from queen’s life. Exhibition wasn’t the only attraction on that day.

When we waited to opening of exhibition, we went at the Wawel, more precisely to the Wawel cathedral.

First point of our sightseeing was the Batory Chapel.  We were able to see his gravestone there too. One interesting fact we get to know is that the Italian architect, Santi Gucci, that had taken part in one of reconstructions of the Chapel, is author of that gravestone.

Then we saw the altar of the Saint Hedwig,  the Queen of Poland, made of black marble, where she used to pray often in her life. Under the cross is placed small coffin with her remains.

At the path to the Sigismund Cathedral we could see white sarcophagus where, for some time, queen use to rest. Then we passed the grave of king Jan I Olbracht, which is placed in the Cathedral with his name. The creator of one of the elements on the gravestone was Italian architect Francesco Fiorentino. Jan Olbracht’s grandfather was German and Hungarian king, Albrecht II Habsburg.

The last point of our journey was the Sigismund Cathedral, called by some “the pearl of the renaissance”.

It was built at the order of the king Sigismund I the Old, by the Florentine artist Bartolommeo Berecci.  Its characteristic mark is a  gold dome, that makes the recognition of the Cathedral much easier from the outside. 

Another piece of writing is by Gabrysia Koster - she made a translation exercise to the description attached next to one of the paintings :

Bona Sforza exhibition.

Stratigraphic research in situ of painting layers on the south wall of the cellar in the defensive castle of the Topór rhodium on the top of the hill Morawica.

Morawica is a cottage in the community Liszki, placed by the river Brzoskwinka (which mean “peach”), at the foot of the Garb Tenczyński, belongs to the oldest settlements near Kraków. In the Middle Ages it used to be headquarters of the knights rhodium Toporczycy, protoplasts of the Tenczyński rhodium, Topór coat of arms. Toporczyk’s built in the XII century on morawica hill wooden defensive manor house, and next stone fortified castle. According to later historical transmission the Morawica Castle welcomed twice future queens of Poland (wives of king Zygmunt I the Old), heading to the Wawel Castle: Barbara Zapolyna – the 5^th of February 1512 and Bona Sforza – the 13^th of April 1518.

Procession of the future queen reached Morawica, headquarters of the wealthy Tęczyński rhodium. An hour before entering minions put on copes, harnesses and plumes on the knights horses. Castellan Stanisław Ostroróg came to Bona in robe shining from silver and heavy from gems. Bona Sforza, after removing her travel outfit, put on blue dress interwoven with gold, and wrapped her bright hair with velvet beret decorated by expensive buckle. Ostroróg looked, full of admiration, at her big, hot eyes, at her golden hair, her fresh lips, didn’t pale despite the travel hardships, and at least at whole slender figure, and still reminiscent of dexterity and power of the legendary Amazons.

Four days in Morawica passed by quickly, and at the fifth day from coming from Italy, they started preparing to further road. It was the fifteenth day of April, sunny and almost scorching, when procession left Morawica at last. Bona rode her white mare at the side of Mr. Tęczyński, who had to escort his dignified  guest down to Łobzów.