Monument to Duke Bogislaw X and his wife Princess Anna Jagiellon in Szczecin

The monument stands on ul. Korsarzy, at the north-west corner of the Ducal Castle, next to the Bell Tower. It shows two figures standing side by side and turned towards the city centre: the Duke of Pomerania Bogislaw X and his wife, Princess Anna Jagiellon, daughter of King Casimir Jagiellon. The sculpture was made in yellow sandstone and was unveiled on 22 July 1974.

Where the monument came from

A competition for the design was announced in 1969. The choice of these two figures was meant to emphasise the ties of Pomerania with Poland, which were strongly stressed in propaganda at that time. The first prize ex aequo was won by two Szczecin sculptors, Leonia Chmielnik and Anna Paszkiewicz, both at the beginning of their careers. The jury suggested combining their designs and carrying them out together, to which they agreed. This was the beginning of their long-standing collaboration.

The work lasted several years, because the jury demanded further models, in clay and in plaster, and abandoning the project was even considered. The authors themselves travelled to the quarry in Bolesławiec for the blocks of sandstone, and they carved from scaffolding in the place where the monument stands to this day.

What it looks like

Anna Jagiellon wears a long dress reaching the ground and stands a step higher than her husband. As a result, contrary to the facts, the two are of similar height: according to the Wikipedia entry the duke was a very tall man, much taller than his wife, and the competition jury wanted the princess not to appear shorter than him. Bogislaw X wears royal robes fastened with a belt, a long cloak falling to the ground, a flat headdress and a chain with a medallion, a sign of ducal dignity. On the plinth is the inscription “Bogusław X i Anna Jagiellonka 1491”.

The texture of the sculpture is partly damaged after an unsuccessful attempt at cleaning in 2000. In 2024 a documentary film, “Babska sprawa” by Helena Kwiatkowska and Marta Płachta, was made about the history of the monument, with the participation of both authors.

Next to the monument

Nearby is the Royal Gate, and a little further the Chrobry Embankment, so it can be seen on the same visit.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Korsarzy, at the north-west corner of the Ducal Castle.
• The monument stands outdoors and can be viewed at any time.