In 2020, the President of the French Republic received a gift from the Republic of Poland: a representation of the “Jagellon” globe. This replica is inspired by the famous Globus Jagellonicus, one of the oldest known terrestrial globes, dating back to 1510, currently displayed at the Collegium Maius of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland.
History of the Globus Jagellonicus
The Globus Jagellonicus is remarkable as one of the earliest globes to depict the American continent. At the time, geographical knowledge was evolving following the discoveries of Christopher Columbus and other explorers. On this globe, America is labeled as “AMERICA NOVITER REPERTA,” meaning “America newly discovered.” However, it is inaccurately positioned, drawn in the Southern Hemisphere at the heart of what is actually the Indian Ocean.
The Jagiellonian University
The globe is housed at the Collegium Maius, a historic building of the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364 in Kraków by King Casimir the Great. The Jagiellonian University is one of the oldest universities in Central Europe. This site is not only a symbol of Poland’s academic heritage but also a treasure trove for researchers studying the history of cartography.
