The exhibition was inspired by a passage from Andrzej Sapkowski's book "Lux perpetua", in which the writer describes the massacre carried out by the Hussites in our city in 1429. The author presented these events "very reliably", as Andrzej Olejniczak of the Museum of Ceramics told us. What was written about the burning of Bolesławiec in the third volume of the trilogy is confirmed by the works of Bolesławiec chroniclers – Fryderyk Holstein and Ewald Wernicki. Nevertheless, Sapkowski embellished the facts somewhat. In reality, the Czechs murdered primarily men and clergy. In "Lux perpetua", they spare no one.
"We have collected quite a lot of iconographic material," admitted Andrzej Olejniczak. The museum also houses replicas of weapons made by a historical-reenactment group from the Czech Republic. There are swords, axes, chain mail and many other exhibits. The greatest impression, however, is made by the reconstruction of a war wagon, thanks to which the Hussites were able to repel Crusader attacks for so long. "Ten people, armed with crossbows and hand cannons, could fit on such a wagon," Olejniczak explains. Cannons were positioned between the wagons. When cavalry attacked the Hussite wagon train, it was greeted by a hail of arrows and cannonballs. That is why the Czech heretics, despite being significantly outnumbered, achieved so many military successes. The Hussite Wars did not end until 15 years later – in 1434.
The exhibition "Literary Fiction and Historical Truth" is interactive. Visitors will have the opportunity not only to see a given exhibit, but also to touch it. The exhibition can be visited from Wednesday to Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. On Sundays: from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Regular tickets cost from one złoty (for organized groups) to 3 złoty. Admission is free on Thursdays.
A passage from Andrzej Sapkowski's "Lux perpetua"
[...]Kromieszyn pointed without a word, and before he lowered his hand, six thousand fighters of Tabor, with a wild roar, hurled themselves at the city of Bolesławiec.
In an instant, those who were in the market square were slaughtered, and those who found themselves in the streets were cut down. Then they stormed into the houses. One great, hellish cry rang out from them, and people thrown from the windows began to fall like hail. The massacre continued outside; no one was spared, and the streets were soon strewn with corpses. Blood flowed like a river through the gutters, washing out soap suds and urine, flushing away rubbish, dung and manure.
The churches of Bolesławiec offered no refuge. Those rushing to Saint Mary’s and Saint Nicholas’s were killed. The slaughter took place in front of the Dominican Holy Cross and on the small square in front of Saint Dorothy’s. For a short time, the Church of Saint Hedwig provided shelter, where more than a hundred townspeople and clergymen had taken refuge. Then the Hussites broke into the porch, nave and chancel. No one escaped alive, and the church was engulfed in flames. A bright blaze and a column of smoke rose toward the heavens.
[...](information from the Museum of Ceramics/GA)