Legend of the White Eagle – Gniezno
Fact of the Polish figure „Polish national myths – Gniezno Cathedral”
Part of the „The story of the beginning” topic
A long time ago, Lech, Czech, and Rus were looking for a place to establish new headquarters for their tribes. He was the first to say goodbye to the Rus brothers, who chose a land of endless steppes and vast, fertile plains. Soon he separated himself from the march of Czech. He followed his tribe south and there, near the mountain. One day, while they were camping and preparing a meal. The dense forests were full of game, clean rivers were abundant with fish, and clear lakes solidified in the belief to dwell on their banks. Suddenly, some noise broke the silence and a huge shadow moved over the field.
Curious people raised their heads. They saw an eagle, which slowly fell on the nest, located in the crown of a large oak. Against the background of the red, pre-evening sky, the silhouette of the bird was cut off by a sharp. Lech considered this event a good omen and only confirmed the location of the new city. In the field a castle was built, and in memory of the eagle nest it was called the Nest. The white eagle on a red background became the coat of arms of the Polish state.
