The Gniezno Doors – The Gniezno Doors in the Gniezno Cathedral
Fact of the Polish figure „St. Adalbert”
Part of the „The patrons and guardians of the land” topic
In accordance with the idea of ,,biblia pauperum”, the medieval custom of presenting religious content in a simplified way through the use of iconography, the bronze doors at the entrance to Gniezno Cathedral display the life and martyrdom of St. Adalbert. Created in the 12th century, they are a unique example of Romanesque art. The wings depict eighteen scenes, including the Duke Bolesław the Brave paying ransom for the saint’s body to Prussians who murdered him. According to the legend, the amount of gold was supposed to weigh as much as the corpse itself. The pair of doors became an important part of Polish cultural heritage, and its details can be found on the 20 Polish zloty banknote, also featuring the image of the aforementioned duke, later the first king of Poland.
Further reading:
Daniec J., The Bronze Door of the Gniezno Cathedral in Poland, ,,The Polish Review” (1966), V. 11, No 4, p. 10-65.
Węcławowicz T., The Romanesque Bronze Doors at Gniezno Cathedral Church: Some New Remarks, ,,Folia Historica Cracoviensia” (2017), V. 23, No 1, p. 105-118.
