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Nasza Przeszłość

Vol. 93 (2000): Our Past

Articles

The participation of pilgrims from the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the celebration of mediaeval Christian jubilees

  • Janusz Smołucha
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.2000.93.5-21  [Google Scholar]
Published: 2000-06-30

Abstract

The article concerns pilgrimages from the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania organized in connection with the celebration of the Jubilee Year. The first celebration of this type, celebrated in Rome in 1300, attracted some pilgrims from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. However, according to contemporary sources, their number increased significantly only in the second half of the 15th century (1450, 1475 and 1500). The road from Poland to Rome was long and arduous. Pilgrims set off from Krakow to Vienna, and through the Alpine passes they went to Venice. On the way to Rome, they stopped in Loreto and went to confession in the Santuario della Santa Casa. The entire journey took from 30 to 50 days. The Pope granted special jubilee indulgences to those who were prevented from traveling to Rome by illness or duties that could not be left unattended. Such indulgences were obtained, among others, by: Casimir III the Great in 1350, Queen Jadwiga in 1391 and Casimir IV (Jagiellonian) in 1450. In June 1501, Pope Alexander VI issued a bull granting general indulgence to all inhabitants of Lithuania. They could obtain absolution provided that they visited one or more churches from the list attached to the papal document and made donations there in a total amount not less than the amount needed for the trip to Rome. The money collected in this way was to be spent on the war with Turkey. Absolution was also promised to all who took an oath to join the crusade against Turkey and fulfilled it personally or by proxy (this concession, however, did not apply to those who for any reason were obliged to take part in this war).

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