Skwer Świętopełka Wielkiego, Gdańsk

Before you is Pomnik Świętopełka Wielkiego, a bronze monument honouring Duke Swantopolk the Great. He ruled the Duchy of Gdańsk from twelve twenty-seven until twelve sixty-six. The bearded duke wears mail, robes, a helmet and a cape, giving the figure the weight of a ruler prepared for conflict.

Notice the hand lifted across his brow: it shades his eyes as he gazes ahead. His other hand presents Gdańsk’s charter of town privileges. A tall pike and battle banner are held close against his body, while a shield bearing the dynasty’s fleur-de-lis rests at the base.

Sculptor Wawrzyniec Samp designed this work, unveiled on the twenty-second of August twenty ten during the Saint Dominic Fair’s seven hundred and fiftieth anniversary. The pedestal carries a Kashubian message that united people cannot be broken.