Jagiellonian University

The Jagiellonian University, in Krakow

The Jagiellonian University is one of the oldest universities of Europe, a pride of Krakow. The Krakow audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this high place of knowledge, of which the Collegium Maius is the medieval jewel.

One of the oldest universities of Europe

The Jagiellonian University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities of Europe, founded in the middle of the fourteenth century. It made Krakow a great intellectual centre and counted among its students illustrious figures, including the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, who studied there, and later the future Pope John Paul II. Its most remarkable building is the Collegium Maius, the oldest college of the university, a magnificent Gothic building organised around an inner arcaded courtyard, where historic rooms, an old library and a museum are located. A high place of knowledge, sciences and thought, the Jagiellonian University is a pride of Krakow and a witness of its influence through the centuries.

What to see

You admire the Collegium Maius, a magnificent Gothic building of the oldest college of the university, organised around an inner arcaded courtyard, with its historic rooms, its old library and its museum, where Copernicus and the future John Paul II studied. The Jagiellonian University is a pride of Krakow. It is a stop for those curious about history, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Jagiellonian University and its Collegium Maius lie in the heart of the old town of Krakow, reachable on foot. The courtyard is generally freely accessible; the museum of the Collegium Maius follows its own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check the arrangements before coming.

Who studied at the Jagiellonian University of Krakow?

Illustrious figures, including the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, who studied there, and later the future Pope John Paul II; founded in the fourteenth century, it is one of the oldest universities of Europe, of which the Collegium Maius is the jewel.

Where is the Jagiellonian University?

In the heart of the old town of Krakow, in Poland.