Lajkonik

The Cracow Lajkonik - alongside the Krakow Nativity Scene - an important part of the Krakow folklore.

The origin

The city of Krakow was besieged in the years 1241 and 1257 by the Mongols. With these two events Kraków traditions are connected: " Hejnał " which abruptly interrupted bugle call from the tower of Krakow St. Mary's Church, and " Lajkonik ", the figure of the armed with a mace Tartar horseman.

Lajkonik

The Krakow - Lajkonik festival is celebrated every year on the 8th day after the feast of Corpus Christi. The shape of the Lajkonik, a Tartar horseman in his hand wearing a horse figure with a mace and dancing around the Norbertanerkloster to the market square, was built in the 17th or 18th century. The abbess of the monastery, which the festival was watching from the window, paid the first ransom. The Lajkonik was accompanied by folk musicians.

For more than hundred years of Lajkonik wearing a costume designed by Stanisław Wyspiański.